I’m all for gratitude and taking the time to remember what we appreciate and are thankful for. I think we all tend to be so busy yearning for something newer, bigger, better, shinier that it’s way too easy to forget all the blessings we have in our daily lives, whether we’re living the good life in a fancy penthouse or big house or otherwise.
For my family, I’ve been chugging along as a single dad for many years now and yet we have a nice house in an attractive suburban neighborhood just a few minutes from a small town so popular that it’s considered a top tourist destination. Nice house, nice furniture, the kids have everything they need to be happy and successful (even if they don’t always realize it), and I have my health and a wonderful circle of friends too.
Lots to appreciate!
This Thanksgiving is also a milestone because my oldest is 18 now, which means that since my ex and I alternate who gets the children for Thanksgiving, this is the last Thanksgiving where all three kids will still be with me. In two years A- will be 20yo and in college or otherwise launched into her life, and my son will be almost 17 and quite possibly off doing his own thing too, with Thanksgiving at his girlfriend’s house or, well, who knows.
Things will definitely change.
I asked each of the children to invite one friend’s family over for the festive Thanksgiving meal, and was a bit surprised when it ended up that only my youngest had a friend who was available: so we invited her, her single dad and her three younger siblings over to share our table. There was the possibility of a few other people showing up, including another 18yo, but she showed up around 5pm (after we’d eaten) and everyone else found another dining table.
So we had two dads and seven kids, aged 18, 14, 10, 10, 8, 6 and 4. Acting, well, like kids, as you can clearly see in the photo:
I lived to tell the tale!
And if that’s not something to give thanks for, well, I don’t know what is. 🙂