My wife and I have raked and bagged all the leaves, and they are waiting for the city to pick them up. The grill is covered. I removed all the hoses from the house and placed covers on the spigots. I moved the deck furniture to the shed, and the cushions and deck rug are drying in the garage.
For all intents and purposes, our yard has finally transitioned from Spring/Summer to Fall/Winter. To be fair, our Fall interior decorations have been up for a while, but they were quietly put away this past weekend in anticipation of Christmas décor.
But first, Thanksgiving.
As I write this, Thanksgiving is tomorrow. The family will be heading to my parents. It will already be in the past when you read this. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorites. Its sole purpose is togetherness, gratitude, and good food—no elaborate gift-giving required.
Part of me resists the push and pull of another busy holiday season. I want to cling to the coziness of fall before everything gets swept up in cooking, cleaning, and planning.
I drink my coffee and try to relax before the oncoming tornado of putting up all the Christmas decorations and our family’s eight trees. In the meantime, I’m still trying to concentrate on Thanksgiving and all the things I’m grateful for this season.
My wife and I are grateful most of all for our health, our home, and our happiness. For steady work and food on the table. For our family and friends. Her constant nurturing presence anchors me. Without her, my life would lack color and warmth.
Divisiveness and hardship fill the news, but I choose to turn toward hope. Like Fred Rogers said years ago, I’d rather focus on the helpers. Volunteers giving time and money. Doctors healing the sick. Teachers nurturing the future. Millions of quiet heroes we can be grateful for. The world will always have darkness, but there is light if we look for it. In my opinion, the light’s winning.
Soon, we’ll go around the table sharing what we’re grateful for this year. Some will be humorous, some heartfelt. All will be small points of light to appreciate for this moment and this imperfect but beautiful life. The year to come brings uncertainty, but there is turkey, laughter, family, and hope right now.
For all of this and more, I give thanks.
Be seeing you.
