I have so much to give thanks for, not least of which is this platform for sharing my gratitude. I am using it this year to offer you my list of things I am giving thanks for and to memorialize the sublime and the mundane. This allows me to reminisce as well as pontificate – two realms where I shine!
For this Thanksgiving, may each of you find foods that you love and nourish you on your plate. May you embrace those who are present or absent from your table and hold them in your heart, and may you enjoy the many blessings of the bounty you are about to receive. May you find yourself surrounded by love this Thursday and enjoying your leftovers on Friday!
Sublime Gratitude
Wisdom teachings of the Buddha as shared by Pema Chodron and made available online
Weekend breakfasts with KP enjoying good food and nourishing conversation
Peet’s Coffee
Resiliency of our political process, even in the face of change and chaos
Commitment of so many people to helping each other, whether in times of disaster (Hurricane Ian) or day-to-day (Meals on Wheels workers)
Reporters (especially the PBS Newshour!)
Volunteers
My two cats who make me laugh every day
Mundane Gratitude
Hot showers
Sunsets and sunrises
Down comforters
Neck wraps
Hot pads
Grab bars
Comfortable shoes
Rolling garbage cans
Sublime Gratitude
Living in a beautiful part of the country
A physical body that, in spite of my neglect, continues to carry me forward
My 2009 Honda CRV that, in spite of my neglect, continues to ferry me around
Good neighbors
Close friends
Long phone conversations with friends who have known me for decades
My ability to manifest the outcomes I intend and make my way in the world without restraint
Availability of great food and my skills and enjoyment in making good use of it
Mundane Gratitude
Day planners
Cell phones
Radio on my computer, in my car and on my phone
Books, books, books, books
Sharp knives
Clean sheets
Microwave ovens
Photographs
Sublime Gratitude
Medicare/Social Security
My great-grandmother’s plates
Memories of wonderful gatherings
HWP
Access to the internet
Nancy Pelosi
NPR
Kindle
Mundane Gratitude
Streaming TV
Zoom
The internet
Aspirin
Curiosity
Writers, novelists, poets, and playwrights
Music and musicians
Predictability
Laughing again
Vaccines
Science
4 responses to “Thanksgiving, 2022”
Thoughtful lists, Mary. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Mary, we send you a gratitude-filled Turkey Day, plus more energy as well in your Compassionate Quest to assist others. In particular, I am grateful that the “divine discontent” (refusal to “settle”) I was born with, propelled me first to uncover the “real me” and second, that that Journey brought to me the husband of my dreams. We Qvell!
Mary, you have such a gift for expressing your feelings..Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I’m glad we found each other. 🥰🦃
I love the lists. All of them!!