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Today didn't turn out as planned. After shopping, baking and cooking with joyful anticipation all week, one of us got sick. Too sick to drive. We were unable to make the sixty mile trek to our daughter's home for Thanksgiving. There is a lot more to it, but this was just one of a series of events that soured the day for three of the five families expecting to feast, laugh and play together. Like the card says, I really wanted to play with them today.
Stuff happens. We'll get over it. Here at home, we ate chicken soup from the homemade stock I made earlier in the week for today's gravy, and we'll eat ice cream for dessert later. But I'm sad tonight, because I let my daughter and her family down, and because my other daughter and her family spent much of the day in the emergency room after her father-in-law pulled cartilage from his ribs in a fall. They missed the fun too.
Still, there is much for which I am grateful. So I'm adding to this post, written days ago and published earlier. The truth is, crap happens, and sometimes it happens on the holidays. We didn't have anything like an Ordinary day, but building a world like the Village happens more in these moments, perhaps, than in the easy ones. Gratitude remains. I continue to give thanks
- For unknown blessings already on the way
- For the relative good health of my family and loved ones
- For each and every one of you my readers
- For every reader comment that encourages me to keep working, keep speaking out, keep finding ways to live more consciously
- For every reader comment that challenges my views and shows me one more way to perceive any given thing
- For the bounty of love in my life
- For blue skies, sunshine and gardens full of flowers, trees, fruits and vegetables
- For rain, wind and cold and the good they bring in new growth, soil transfer, fresh air, and unlocked seeds
- For laughter and the ability to laugh in the face of peril
- For the bounty of food my family enjoyed today, wherever we sat down to table
- For the extended family with whom I have the joy of sharing the bounty, if not today, on many other occasions
- and for people like Representative Inglis, who went on record with this.
Representative Inglis (R) attacks GOP on climate change
I'd call it more gentle persuasion than an attack, but I'm grateful nonetheless. I take hope, knowing that one person on the other side of the aisle knows the truth and is willing to talk about it. Sure, he can talk about it now because he's a lame duck and hasn't anything to lose any more. Maybe in speaking what so many others on his side of the aisle surely know, despite their posturing, he will somehow get through their numb skulls and others won't wait until they're on the way out to go on the record.
I give thanks for Representative Inglis, for you, for my family and loved one, for the richness of my life, for whatever slim bits of grace I manage in adversity, and for forgiveness when I don't manage to find enough.
What are you grateful for today?
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We make peace in a million small ways every day.
All text and images, unless otherwise noted, copyright L. Kathryn Grace. All rights reserved.
8 comments:
So many things. And so many people.
What you say about "building a world like the Village happens more in these moments, perhaps, than in the easy ones" is at the heart of work.
Your words remind me of a fable, The Light and The Mouse by Lisa Suhay, in which the Mouse asks the Voice, "Why do you not stop The Shadow?" The Voice responded, "Because I have given that power to those The Shadow harms. The Shadow has grown through the lack of caring in creatures. Now it is your job to stop it."
It is in our moments of imperfection that we can face the challenge to change. We have the power. We just need the courage.
I'm so sorry your day didn't turn out to be the one you wanted, and not at all surprised you were able to focus on all that you have to be grateful for anyway. I hope health is restored all the way around. I'm grateful for the work you do to inform and to change the world one person and one act at a time.
Kathryn, I'm so sorry that all of this came together the way it did on a day you'd looked forward to celebrating w/ family. Sorry too, for that father in law.... ribs injuries are so very, very painful! I hope you're easing your way through the long weekend and finding joy along your path.
Wanda, thank you for stopping by and leaving a note.
Sharon, Some courage perhaps, and for me it also takes a willingness to experience my ill feelings, then let them go. I have a tendency to hang onto them. Thankfully, after all these years, I know the sooner I have absorbed any lessons I can glean from the experience, the sooner I can let go of the bad stuff and be up and laughing again. The trick for me is to remember sooner than later.
Deb and Hayden, thank you both for your well wishes. It's always a pleasure to see your names in my comments.
I am thankful for the ever-expanding village of people who are determined to focus on positive acts and gratitude and share their wisdom with others.
Here's hoping the next holiday will give you ample time to make up for what you missed over Thanksgiving.
i give thanks for family and love. wishing you the best of days.
one love.
Kario and Se'lah, thank you for stopping by, sharing your thoughts, and for your good wishes.
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