Thanksgiving 2013
I know we'll all be returning to our blogs soon to start on Bonnie's Celtic Solstice, so I decided to come a little early and do a little of what's been going on on facebook - something daily to be grateful for. It's been a bit harder for me to find that this year. I found out in March I was going to be losing a job I had on and off for about 20 years, and that would happen at the end of May. I've never been without work and I'm finding I'm having a hard time coping with it. But I was at church last night, playing for a group celebrating an early Thanksgiving liturgy, and a couple things in the homily struck me. I can't remember now exactly what was said, but it did strike me that I haven't been too terribly grateful lately, and in spite of everything, I do have much to be grateful for. So, I thought, perhaps if I took the time to put in print what has been given to me as gift, it might serve notice to me that things aren't so bad after all.
- my family - from the oldest, my mother at 87, to the youngest, my adorable little great nephew at almost 1 year. They have been so good to me since I changed my life's course a few years ago. I get to babysit and be with them more than I used to be. Their support means everything.
- my faith - in spite of the fact that perhaps I haven't been too attentive to it, I know it's what's holding me up most days.
- being able to play the piano and make music
- the weekend gig I do have and for the person who knows my situation and tries to throw more work my way whenever he can.
- the few people of my parish who have truly tried to take my situation to heart and are praying for me, people I would never expect.
- my mother's generosity
- my first mother, who has allowed me into her life and loves me and encourages me.
- a friend who continues to listen, and put up with my tears when they come.
- my former students who I can keep up with on fb. Their stories and the love they have for their little ones fills my heart.
- cousins who care, even tho we can't get together as much as we'd like.
- beautiful rainbows.
- gorgeous fall colors
- my car - I know, that sounds really strange, but I do a lot of thinking while driving, and that lovely car is over 10 years old, 165,000 miles and serves me well.
- my brother's unending support - and his new life that allows him to be his true self.
- a former teacher who has become a friend over the last 30 years who thinks I'm doing really well with the situation I'm in.
- faraway friends who you can drop in on a moment's notice, be welcomed, and feel like you've never been away.
- fb friends who have become true friends. Who would have thought? Just wish we didn't live so far away from each other. Go ND!
- being able to stay in my apartment and pay my rent
- realizing that working on quilts takes my mind off everything else
- having the joy of making a poodle skirt for my adorable little niece and seeing her joy with the finished product.
- having enough to pay my bills
- Jane Austen and Harry Potter movies - they keep me company!
- being part of a sports crazy family so I have to watch lots of sports to keep up!
- having enough courage to step away from a lifestyle that was truly draining me and moving on
- trying now to find a new interest by taking courses at the local junior college(even if the teacher is driving me bananas!)
- friends - who still want to keep in touch
- the sun in the morning - and the moon at night! (Name that tune - and show!)
I did it - let me take all this with me as the days go on and try to keep it at the forefront.
