Re: Thanksgiving 2005 (too long)
- From: "Karen Burns" <hellotrou@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 26 Nov 2005 04:43:00 GMT
Top-posting because your post is too lovely to snip, I want to say I am
thankful for the many fine people who take the time not only to think these
kinds of things, but also to share them here with me and everyone else.
Your post was really wonderful to read.
Karen
<ropeyarn@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:IOadnVibOsxONRjenZ2dnUVZ_sWdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> If the meal were being held in our house this year, this would be the
> time of day when the final preparations for the stuffing would be
> underway and the turkey would be about to go in the oven. Instead, we
> get the other wonderful part of the Thanksgiving equation, a leisurely
> morning followed by an afternoon trek to a loved one's house. It's a
> bitter late November morning here, and on the short list of life's
> truely amazing sensations is the moment when you step from out of the
> cold and into a home where there is not only a gathering of some of
> those you care the most about in the world, but there is also a big old
> turkey that is near serving time and the smell is immediate and amazing.
> Hosting is fun, but guesting is too...I'm the designated mashed potato
> maker today (we've had a Kitchen Aid mixer at home for 10 years, and I
> don't think we've ever used it for anything other than mashed
> potatoes...and I don't know whow we ever made them *before* we had one!).
>
> OK...the caffeine is kicking in, so here's my a short list of just a few
> of the things I'm thankful for this year. Some may provide too much
> information, but it's just for perspective, and to prove I got my
reasons:-)
>
> -Health. Staring 50 right in they eyes, and still not on any regular
> prescriptions. My GP is fussing about my weight, and has delivered
> ultimatums that borderline normal cholesterol readings aren't going to
> cut it mucch long and I have a standing 3-year appointment with Mr.
> Colonoscope due to a family history...but no standing prescriptions.
>
> -Airbags. Two years ago this month I walked away (not only walked
> away..but went to work in the clothes I was wearing) from an intersate
> accident that ended with airbags and a total loss of a mid-sized sedan
> against a guardrail. Two weeks ago, a colleague of mine was in a similar
> accident in an older, smaller, non-airbag equipped car. He's going to
> live, but his recovery will have extra time and pain involved because
> there were no airbags.
>
> -Family. Depending on what corner of the family you want to explore,
> this could, of course, go either way. But let's start with a wife who is
> incredibly tolerant of my moods, my wants, my faults, who is my best
> friend and who has shared an amazing journey through the last 20 years.
> Let's add a kid who has turned into an amazing young woman, who has
> achieved academically in high school in ways that convinced my own
> parents that she was in fact, adopted. A kid who is comfortable with
> Latin (F*ing Latin...amazes me), Chemistry, multimedia art and the bass
> guitar. Who prefers Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and, yes,
> even Springsteen to any current offering (with the possible exception of
> Less Claypool). Who, although no doubt often hears the Charlie Brown
> teacher sound when I talk, has listened and heeded the one message I
> most want her to hear: that smart choices and academic success when you
> are young open doors and give you early options as adult that may
> otherwise open late....or not at all. This was an amazing case of "do as
> I say, not as I did". I think she was smart enought to not want to find
> herself pushing 40 and writing term papers:-) And that's the just the
> immediate part of the family.
>
> --More family: This will be our second Thanksgiving without my
> stepfather. He wasn't *like* a father to me...he was my father. Along
> with the rest of the clan gone to soon: we will take a moment to wish
> they were still at the table with us, and remember them warmly, fondly,
> with laughter... and without the wet eyes that are clouding my vision
> right now.
>
> -Home. My wife's cousin lives in a community in southern Mississipi.
> Katrina place 4.5 feet of water in their house this summmer. This left
> them better off than most of their neighbors, most of whom simply had
> their houses wash away. They are spending their Thanksgiving in FEMA
> trailers. This is not about stuff...this is about the sense of
> permanance that comes from a place to hang your hat. We took a pass on
> tax deductible relief donations, and gave directly to family. Cash at
> first...then linens, pots and pans, because these things were flying off
> the shelves there. Whatever you've heard: it's worse.
>
> -The great good fortune to live in the USA. We've got our problems. I've
> got some major beefs with our position on the world stage right now. And
> I can't grieve enough for the near-daily reports of young volunteerss
> dying in Southwest Asia. But I've had the opportunity to live, work and
> travel througouht the Far East, southwest Asia and Europe. This remains
> a land of endless opportunity. Please don't squander your gift of
> citizenship. Vote in every election....this too shall pass.
>
> -The brave and unselfish volunteers that are serving --and dying-- for
> us. I've already said I've got major beefs. But the folks doing the
> military bidding are amazing. At this point, anybody involved knows what
> 's waiting at the end of all that training. There are many analogies
> with Vietnam that work, but at least we are not compounding the
> stupidity with an force of conscripts. Even Mrs. Sheehan's son was a
> volunteer: twice.
>
> Friends and neighbors: I'm blessed with an abundance of people who have
> shared many adventures in life, and who, if called, would not hesitate
> to stop whatever they were doing and help.
>
> -A fantastic job. I work at something that is cool enough that I'm
> amazed they pay me for it. Surrounded by scary smart people that I'm
> supposed to manage, and who are nice enough not to remind me that they
> know what to do already.
>
> --The admiration of a faithful dog. Hey, I know that if you feed a dog,
> talk nice to it, keep it out of the heat and cold and don't kick it, it
> will love you forever. We lost a 10-year family golden retriever this
> year...and then hit the dog lottery with a Vizla rescue. He's funny,
> gentle and happy to be part of a new pack.
>
> -BTR 30th re-release. I've been listenting over and over again in the
> car. Where the f*ck did those 30 years go???
>
> Each of our lives is full of rewards and challenges over the course of a
> year. The challenges get our attention often enough. I've set them aside
> for the last few minutes in order to inventory some rewards. I hope each
> and every one of you --and yours-- (even the ones who annoy me) has
> similar bounty to enjoy today...tomorrow is never a certainity. Have a
> wonderful Thanksgiving. Now turn off the computer and enjoy the company
> of family and freinds (I would, but they are all --even the dog--) still
> sleeping.
>
>
>
.
- References:
- SBC: Thanksgiving 2005 (too long)
- From: ropeyarn
- SBC: Thanksgiving 2005 (too long)
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