There's gratitude, then there's gratitude

[pjthompson]

Two days late, but better than not being grateful at all. Actually, I thought about most of this on the day, just was too bilious to write it up.

I heard somewhere this week—and I can't remember now if it was LJ, TV, NPR, or some other acronym—that this American holiday is rather unique in the world. Forget about the fact that most people think of it as an excuse to eat too much, watch football, and engage in shopppping frenzy—a significant number of us do use it to pause and make note of the things in our lives that make us feel grateful. "For five minutes, at least," said this person I can't remember, "we're better people."

ETA: The inestimable kmkibble75 reminded me it was the inestimable hkneale who said this about Thanksgiving. Sorry I forgot my source, Heidi. It was a lovely sentiment—and Heidi said it much better than I.

The flip side of that, of course, was a local news story I saw on Thanksgiving Day covering people who have a big family motorcycle/ATV rally out in the desert every T-Day. They showed one little guy (couldn't have been more than about seven) in his racing leathers with his child-sized motorcycle (which is a whole separate post in itself).

Reporter: Do you know what day this is?
Kid: It's Thanksgiving.
Reporter: Do you know what Thanksgiving is?
Kid: It's a day when we're thankful.
Reporter: Thankful for what?
Kid: For turkey.


I guess I'm thankful for turkey, too (about once a year), but here's some other stuff for which I'm grateful (in no particular order):



- I'm grateful I still have someplace to go for Thanksgiving. My mom's just about the only family left. I'm grateful for her.
- I'm grateful for my friends, online and off.
- I'm grateful that I may finish the year (if all continues to go as it has been) almost $5000 less in debt than when I started. (Since it was a mammoth glass mountain, I'm glad for secure footholds, but there's still plenty more climbing to go.)
- I'm grateful that while things are still tight, writing out the bills is not the horrible ordeal it had become.
- I'm grateful that I have good shelter, enough food, a decent job.
- I'm grateful for kitty wooboo, Min--she's made such a lovely addition to my life.
- I'm grateful I'm able to be creative and do something I love.
- I'm grateful that I'm relatively healthy, and that most of my friends and family are, and that those who aren't are recovering nicely.
- I'm grateful for the force that through the green fuse drives the flower; for the Spirit, whatever It may be.
- I'm grateful for free speech, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. May our leaders soon grow to respect them once again.
- I'm grateful I'm not anywhere near a mall this weekend.

Comments

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

I think -- think -- the Thanksgiving description may have come from hkneale. I'd have to double check, though (which should be easy enough to do).

I'm beginning to wonder if reporters keep stocks of children stored away to deliver lines just like that when needed. :-)

And as far as the Constitution goes... here's hoping!

[pjthompson]

Yes! I think you're right. Yay, Heidi!

I'm beginning to wonder if reporters keep stocks of children stored away to deliver lines just like that when needed. :-)

Seems like it sometimes, huh?

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

An excellent list, right down the line.

[pjthompson]

Thanks!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I'm like you in that I've been mulling over my list of blessings and things to be grateful for. I may not get to celebrate the holiday like I did while in the States, but it is the "thinking" that represents the true meaning of the fête and I can do that anywhere.

Good list, and I'm grateful to have a friend who is grateful for what she's got.

*hugs*

[pjthompson]

Yep! Even if we only do it a few times a year, it's important to do it. *hugs* to you, too.

[hominysnark.livejournal.com]

- I'm grateful I'm not anywhere near a mall this weekend.

Amen to that.

[pjthompson]

With cherries on top.

[handworn.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on all these things, which are indeed worth being most thankful for. Particular congrats on the debt reduction, which ain't easy.

[pjthompson]

Thank you--and I never would have been able to do it if I was living in my old apartment.