This Thanksgiving finds me in an unusual situation. In fact, this whole year has been more unusual than most. I normally cook a big dinner with at least my daughters here, sometimes their boyfriends too. It's one of my few real social times - at least in my own home - and also one of the few times I really cook anymore.
This holiday season, for the very first time in my life, I'm living completely alone, not counting the cat (Buu). I don't dislike it, but it's strange and I miss having someone I'm completely comfortable with (besides Buu) to interact with on a daily basis. I'm also in the middle of moving. When I say "middle," I mean that I had started moving, but it's been put on hold. So half my stuff, including my kitchen table, chest of drawers, bookcases and almost all my books, are in storage waiting for the final move. That was originally supposed to be in November, then mid-December, and now...I don't know. Most of the rest of my things, including way more clothes than I thought I had, is boxed or bagged already and stored in my daughter's old room. I kind of like all the extra space I have in my apartment now, but I was really hoping to be in the new place before Christmas. I'm going to at least put up my Christmas tree this weekend. That'll make it feel more like it's still home.
Anyway, I'm not in good shape to entertain at all, though the daughters, individually, do come down to spend time with me, which I love. The youngest, Mary, will spent the night with me last night and is hanging out today. This afternoon/evening we'll go up to San Francisco to have dinner with my other daughter, Elizabeth's, boyfriend's family. It's so sweet of them to have us. We spent last Christmas Eve with them too - a lovely Italian family. I mostly feel like a fish out of water there, my neurology and culture at odds with the loud, somewhat crowded situation, but I'm really looking forward to it. They're awesome people and I'm honored to be included.
My son, Joshua, is doing well in his new job in Iowa, and his wife and my grandson seem to have settled in very well too. He was recently able to buy a house with the help of his grandfather (his dad's father) and will be spending his first Thanksgiving and Christmas with his family in their very own home. That's so wonderful.
And it feels like winter! We appear to have had some frost on the roofs last night and it certainly felt cold. We love that. And the recent rain has bee such a blessing. Our hillsides are already showing a sold greenness. We're praying for a lot more rain . . . we need those reservoirs and watersheds filled up here in California!
So . . . Thanksgiving. I'm so thankful for so many things. My children. My job. My relative health. My home, even though it's a little weird right now. I'm thankful for friends, online or otherwise, especially those who have been so supportive of my writing and so patient, too! I do promise things are moving ahead and being completed!
I don't get caught up in all the drama (seems to be more and more every year) about the historical validity or cultural appropriateness of the national holiday. I am thankful every day. At least I try to be. But I will continue to "celebrate" Thanksgiving as a day to formally and intentionally set one day apart for specific and targeted gratitude. For reflection on the past year - all its trials and blessings - and give thanks for making it through. I'm not always happy, but I want to always be grateful.
Happy Thanksgiving my friends. I hope your day is peaceful and joyful and that you eat too much and sleep soundly.
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Note: All original text and materials by or commissioned by B. B. Shepherd are copyright 2012-2015 to B B Shepherd.
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