Thankful & Mindful

I am just going to be thankful this week, as I am everyday of every month I live to see. But in thinking about the season and its purpose, I am trying to be extra mindful.

The past 20 months haven’t been the most calming in terms of health and/or mental health for our society with a pandemic trolling our globe. In terms of how society is shaping up, this holiday season I hope will be a lot better or at least more calming than 2020.

For myself, I began feeling a little anxiety about the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays this year. It will be the first without my mother AND father to share it with. I was a bit agitated and grumpy last weekend and on Sunday my friend Lori asked “what ‘s wrong with me “as I was not my usual quirky self. I torted back that “I was little tired, a little cold, and missing my mom for Thanksgiving.” She offered a hug and warm look from her big doe eyes and said she couldn’t do anything about the last one. I knew that but part of me had to utter it into the universe.

I texted my sisters who were having the same down-in-the-dumps feelings. Last week would have been the time that our mom would have called each of us and ask for our Thanksgiving requests for dinner whether we showed on that day or not. And Friday of this week is when she would have launched her all out holiday decorating blitz with lights galore. She would call to make sure Robyn and Jacob would be available to help Mr. Willie (her husband) put the lights up—she was the director and rather snappy about it!

If you’ve ever watched Christmas Vacation, my favorite holiday film, mom’s house was the Griswold house at Christmas. I am sure the lights probably annoyed some of the neighbors, like in the movie, but she didn’t care and proudly.

Karen reminded me that it’s those memories that we have to keep alive in my mind & heart to get through what will be an emotionally difficult season. I have decided to be extra thankful and mindful over the next 38 days, at least. So I have made a list of a few things I am thankful for—

•Robyn and Jacob!

•Ability to still afford inflated prices at the grocery store and gas pump. LOL

•Autumn leaves that change and fall.

•Friends that comfort. .

•Birthdays.

•Oranges, apples, pecans, & walnuts on Christmas Day.

•The cajun turkey I am having on Thanksgiving.

•The snakeskin accessories I bought just because they reminded me of my mom.

•The new power drill I got because dad would have had to have it!

•No morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up for a week.

•Buc ee’s bbq and fudge.

•Rain and the rare rainbows that follow.

•Taco Tuesdays.

•Free will.

•Bad choices.

•Good choices that come from learning from the bad choices.

Here’s wishing everyone a peaceful and blessed Thanksgiving Day and beyond. May our holiday memories be food for our souls.