Think back, pilgrim… Remember?(John Wayne)...

As Thanksgiving approaches, and the crazy holiday season, I thought I'd take a moment to talk about time, thanks and more of the craziness of the season.

It is difficult to grasp that it's already late November. They say(whoever 'they' is) time flies! It seems just yesterday, it was early summer and we were complaining about the heat. Now it's just a few days until Thanksgiving and I have a frozen turkey to deal with!

I love Thanksgiving, that was our family holiday. Yes, Christmas was the climax of the year, but that afternoon we would pile in the car and go to an aunts house to finish the day. Thanksgiving was the day we slept in, skipped breakfast and converged on the kitchen as a family and made dinner.

It wasn't about the turkey, of football, it was about being together. I am thankful for those memories, and thankful every day for my family and friends.

Since Mom and Dad are gone, I don't see my family every day, but I make a point to call my brother a few times a week and check in. He, Fran, and the kids are all I have.

I take that back, I have a close knit group of friends that I consider family as well.

I am thankful of all the people in my life, because they create the path I call life! By their words, gestures, and kindness, they help me decide what my next move is. Whether it's moment, day by day, or year by year.

It's the 'Butterfy Effect' "the idea, used in chaos theory, that a very small difference in the initial state of a physical system can make a significant difference to the state at some later time

[from the theory that a butterfly flapping its wings in one part of the world might ultimately cause a hurricane in another part of the world]"

 

It is amazing how a smile first thing in the morning, or a harsh word can set the tone for the entire day, or sometimes longer.

 

I try to not let the small things get to me, I live my life stoic, non-emotional, 'the strong one'. It's not easy, and it can get lonely at times. but "That's who I am, and how I deal with life."

 

I may not say it all the time, but I am thankful for the gifts I receive in life, whether it's a new shirt, a hug, or a smile from a stranger. I am grateful that someone cares, even if it's only for a moment.

 

We all need to be grateful for the blessings of thanksgiving we have 365 days a year, I know I am.

 

Until the official holiday season begins...

 

 

Santa Clause is coming to town...

Another night, another moment of not knowing what to say.

As I sit here, hoping for inspiration, I continue to babble on. The holiday season is right around the corner! Unless you are a manager at Wal-Mart, then Christmas started in August.

I love the holidays, I have already been invited to two parties, and it's only a little over a week past my birthday.

The holidays are a time of joyous celebration, a time to embrace loved ones, and forget about petty differences you had with a friend and family.

I love and hate the holidays, I love it because I get to spend time with family. but hate dealing with all the commercialism. Like I said, the poor Wal-Mart manager must have two calenders in his office, one for day to day operations, and one for Holidays!

"Let's look, okay, Halloween starts in July, Christmas in August, Valentines Day starts January 3rd, I think I am covered until February 15th when I have to dust off the Easter baskets and get ready for summer"

I'm not sure why, we the retail consumer have let this happen, but it has.

I miss the days when there was no Halloween until the week of October 31st and  Christmas music was not allowed until "Black Friday." And if you even thought about it, you were guaranteed coal and switches in your stocking!

We always look forward to the next "big event" and forget the daily events we encounter every day.

We need to stop 'fast-forwarding' the calender to the next holiday "so we can all get together" and think about today and say to ourselves, what is so wrong with getting together "just because." Life is too short to wait for the next holiday to tell someone how you feel. That holiday maybe too late!

I don't share feelings or show emotion, but I am trying to get better at it. I take it one day at a time, not one holiday to the next. If everyone did that, maybe this world would be a calmer, more serene place to co-exist!

So next time you talk to your family, instead of saying "see you Thanksgiving" say, I'll call you mid-week, maybe we can get together next Sunday! It would probably benefit everyone.

Something to think about, and Happy Holidays!