"Thanksgiving is more than eating..."

"...Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck...We should just be thankful for being together."  

~ Marcie, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Tomorrow, I'm going on strike. I'm not cooking.  I cook 364 other days of the year, I'm entitled to a break. Okay, that's a lie - I don't cook 364 other days of the year.  But I do know that I've spent the last 8 years slaving away in the kitchen for days before, during and after over a meal I don't even like.  I don't like turkey. Or sweet potatoes or gravey.  Hell, I just started to eat pumpkin pie last year.  

Tomorrow, we will take a trip into the City and watch the parade (fingers crossed that The Boy likes it) and order Chinese or Mexican.    

For me, Thanksgiving has never really been about the meal - it's about the feeling of togetherness - whether it's with family, friends or the friends that have replaced family.  Thanksgiving is about sharing. Talking. Laughing with the ones we love.  But most of all - looking back and reflecting on all that we are thankful for.     

Last Thanksgiving I created a Top 10 List of the things I am most thankful for.  My list is pretty much the same - with a few tweaks. 

10. My job. It may not be ideal, but it pays the bills.
  9. My cozy little apartment - it's home.  
  8. My writing - it's therapeutic
  7. The network of support I've created through my writing.  (That's YOU - reading this!)
  6. My friends - They make me laugh even when it's really hard to.

  5. My family - I have a great support system. 

  4. My Mother: I'm lost without her & The Boy is lucky to have her as his Abuela.

  3. The Husband: A phenomenal partner & father.  He believes in me when I cannot.

  2. The Boy: (my list within my list)

• He's said "I Love You" all on his own
• he's pointing; jumping
• clapping 
• singing
• reading
• dancing
• playing appropriately
• riding his bike and starting to ride his little scooter
• He's day time potty trained - woohoooooooooo 
• he's asking questions
• he says please and thank you
• he's realizing that on Halloween you get candy, on Thanksgiving you eat turkey and for Christmas Santa comes and brings presents
• he's building his imagination
• He's cutting and coloring

  1. That I'm able to appreciate all the little things every single day.  


What are YOU thankful for?