Here I Go Feeling Thankful
Posted on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
I had a birthday this month. This birthday felt like one of those milestones, but it wasn’t really – at least not according to Hallmark since there are no cards for this age. But there should be. After all, a gal doesn’t slide down the hill but once every decade. You go from thinking “I’m in my early ___’s” to “Dang, I’m in my late ___’s” in one simple 24 hour period.
Because my birthday falls around Thanksgiving time, I normally have those “reflective” type days… turning older, being thankful for whatever, blah blah blah. This year I struggled a bit trying to be thankful.
Fortunately, I had a few nice events and simple moments to help me straighten up and fly right.
You may have noticed that I haven’t been around for almost a month. That is due in part to my being busy. I was having the most marvelous time planning, then participating in, a wonderful mini-vacation… just me off on a little trip out west to visit my much loved family living around Puget Sound. What a wonderful time! My family is so generous, feeding me, making me cozy, dragging my butt all over Seattle and Olympia and points in between (Federal Way?). I am so thankful that I found a cheap plane ticket and had the time and good health to go and spend time with my family out west. Oh dear, here go those thankful feelings.
I also got to spend time with great friends who have just returned from traveling around the countryside in their sparkling new RV! What a hoot! The RV is so cool and they have such a great story to tell. The pictures are beautiful and I envy them for all the scenery they’ve been able to enjoy, as well as all the great hiking and biking trails they’ve traveled. I am so thankful that I got to meet them at all, let alone become their friend. Oh my… more thankful feelings.
The weather has been cooperating here so I’ve been able to ride my bike quite often with my daughter and spend time at her house afterwards watching my goofy grandchildren act up. Sometimes they’re good, sometimes they’re naughty, but they are always entertaining. My daughter and I always have something to laugh about, and my son-in-law will always run out for wine if I decide to stay overnight. Good man. I am so thankful to have my happy, healthy family so near by. Ooops… more thankful feelings trickling through my poopy birthday mood.
My Hubby is strong and healthy and able to work and enjoy his hobbies, like rockabilly music, which is a bit beyond my understanding, bless his heart. (If you’re a Southerner you know what I just did there.) He is making his best-ever turkey and stuffing tomorrow for Thanksgiving, we’ll have our traditional side dishes, and everything will be perfect thanks to him. My Hubby is an excellent cook and gets everything on the table in an orderly fashion as we basically sit by and watch. We learned long ago to stay out of “his” kitchen on Thanksgiving. So, I’m really thankful that he is willing and able to do so much for us. My my… those thankful feelings seem to be sneaking in everywhere.
Well, it would seem that being thankful and counting my blessings should be a part of my birthday every year. At a certain age one has to adopt the old adage that any birthday is better than no birthday. And a birthday that happens to occur around Thanksgiving is a blessing in-and-of itself. It’s a great reminder to stop and consider saying thanks for a few things even as I get older – especially as I get older!
Which brings me to a couple of my favorite quotes. The first one I have pinned up in my home office as a constant reminder of the good things about growing older. This is a quote that I remember every time I hop on my bike and feel like I’m 10 years old again. I hope you can see the beauty in it as well. Here you go…
“The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.” Madeleine L’Engle
This next quote you have most likely seen before. It’s an especially insightful and important quote to remember as we age. If we spend too much time dwelling on the years ahead of us, well, you know how depressing that can be. My Gramma always said that getting old was not for the weak, timid, or faint of heart. That’s a great quote, too, but this one sort of completes Gramma’s thought. Here you go…
“The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.” Abraham Lincoln
Yes, birthdays are a great time to stop and reflect on each day as a blessing. Thanksgiving is a great time to share your blessings with the people around you. Most older people I know have, at one time or another, told younger people that they should count their blessings, usually when a younger person was wrapped up in a torment of some sort that didn’t amount to much. (Thanks Mom and Dad.) Our elders have taught us that the act of counting our blessings will reward us in many ways for years to come. They knew a thing or two about torment, sacrifice, and blessings!
With that thought, I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving filled with all the blessings your heart can hold!
p.s. Many folks my age refer to this time of life as their “late youth” and I tend to agree. Check out the book entitled Late Youth: An Anthology Celebrating the Joys of Being Over Fifty by Susanna Johnston to see if you agree that there are still plenty of joys to be celebrating!
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I find you most amusing, as usual, but am especially giggling at your last lines about there still being plenty of joys to celebrate as we age …. and what pops up next? Hugh Downs’ Artery Clearing Secret. Ha!!! I’m sorry, that just struck me so funny that I am giggling out loud at my desk at the moment.
With love from one of your nutty family members in the Puget Sound area.
OMG you’ve got to be kidding! I didn’t get that Hugh Downs pop up… oh Lord. That is too weird. Yeah, let’s look forward to clearing our arteries, eh?! Thanks for the chuckle you crazy Puget Sounder! Love ya!
I didn’t know OSS knew so many ‘big’ words. Isn’t she the one! God bless her!
Call me crazy but I swear I’m sober. I did meet and heartily greet a new concoction called “Washington Red Apple” I have no idea what is in it, but it sure is good. By the way, I can’t find Barbie anywhere and time is running out. Help me, please! Am I a dunder head? Maybe……..
Love you so very much
You’re not a dunder head… I find it difficult to get where I need to go sometimes when I’m looking for something in particular. I’ll try to help you find Barbie… Washington Red Apple, eh?! hmmmm… sounds yummy. And, yes, OSS can surprise us. This is when a decent Southerner would insert “Bless her heart.” And you know exactly what I just did there, don’t you… secret’s out. Sorry OSS! tee hee! Love ya too mucho much!
If memory recalls, I was thankful for you upon our first introduction! I am thankful for having had the opportunity to peddle along beside you on the bike pictured above. What happened to the bottle of wine?
You are too much fun via your prose or your presence!
awww…. thanks Anne-Marie! You are way too much fun, too.
The wine? ahem… those darn bottles don’t stay around long. I look forward to sharing the next bottle with you whenever we can get together again! Hope it won’t be too far in the future, eh?!
😀
I agree with your sentiments. You seem to have your priorities straight so that you can appreciate what is truly important and not get lost in what is not. I have seen both ways. Taking a personal inventory of our selves can lead to understanding, growth, and some order ans satisfaction. I always recommend it!
Hey, Scott! Thanks for your comment.
Yes, taking stock is important, that is a fact. I tend to do so with a bit of humor and a dash of “snarky” mixed in sometimes. Some people approve, others do not. I’m glad you can appreciate my ramblings and have stopped by to read a few. This blog is relatively young and growing. I hope you enjoy the journey. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for reading my stuff.