It's 6:00. And aside from the dogs I'm the only one awake.
I'm wrapped in an afghan that my grandma knitted for me and tucked into my hope chest when I was small.
I used to spread it out on the floor by her chair and lay down on it, imagining what my life might look like when it was finally mine.
And you know, I never pictured this.
But I did picture happiness and motherhood and an authentic life all my own, so there you go.
And I'm remembering her and every Thanksgiving we spent at her house alongside the Wolf River.
We'd cook and laugh and set the table all fancy like, waiting for the deer hunters to come in from the woods.
She's been gone for years.
So have all of my grandparents.
And I'm blessed by all that time that we had together.
It's dark and quiet in the valley and despite having had a rocky two weeks, I'm overwhelmed by gratitude.
Because my troubles are minuscule.
And my blessings are vast.
My life is a gift.
Every. Single. Day.
And here I am, unwrapping another present of now beneath the brightening sky.
How did I get so lucky?
Will you join me in a simple action?
Because I know for many, holidays can be rocky.
There are old stories that come up, and big feelings with them.
There is a lot going on and sometimes we lose ourselves in the mess and forget to see the beauty.
So let us keep today in perspective.
To roll with the bumps that inevitably will come.
To breathe. Just breathe.
To be graceful, forgiving, accepting, and kind.
To give ourselves and our parents and our partners and our siblings the same grace that we strive to give our children. Undertsanding. Acceptance. Patience. Love.
To open our hearts and our minds and truly notice all there is to be thankful for.
Let's rock this day in a more real and beautiful way than ever before.
Happy Thanksgiving, my friend.
You're on my thankful list.
Love,
Rachel
Edited to add: In case you need it, here are some other words to keep your rolling in a brilliant direction today:
Because it's Thanksgving and You're Online (Beth is brilliant and this is spot on.)
Behold The Power of Cropping (Just in case you need this remider today.)
