Turkey Eve

Thank you H for the new term of Turkey Eve...it gave me quite the chuckle on my way into work this morning! I had wanted to do a few days of things that I am thankful for leading up to the big day on Thursday but just kept getting wrapped up in rice donations and Starbucks Oracles. So, here it is my thankful post.

A little background before I begin. Thanksgiving each year has always been at my parents' house and more often than not my uncle and aunt come with my two cousins. Occasionally, we'll throw in some other guests, in laws, college friends, grad school friends, for either the whole dinner or just dessert. It's always a fun time, the conversation and the food are both excellent. It really is one of my favorite holidays. But we all dread when my dad stops everyone at the table and does the traditional "what are you thankful for this year" speech. My cousins and I spend weeks discussing this. Not because we're not able to come up with things we're thankful for but because it's just so corny. (It's not corny to be thankful for things and people, etc. but the whole clicheness of the idea is corny.) Last year, I was thankful that an ultrasound had revealed that our baby had one head, two arms, and two legs, nothing extra. (I had been exposed to radiation in the early weeks of my pregnancy and was convinced I'd have the multiple limb baby.) This year I'm thankful that a very tumultous pregnancy, birth experience and almost first year of life have gone through successfully for my daughter and family. I'm thankful for other things but I have a feeling that's what I'll be mentioning at the table. So, that's the background. My cousin and I have been discussing how to make my dad forget about the whole tradition but I doubt that will happen and while I'm sure I'll grumble my way through it, it is important because I do have so very much to be thankful for!

I am thankful for:

1. My children
2. My family
3. My husband
4. My friends
5. My faith
6. The fact that my recent car accident totaled only my car and not my children and not completely me.
7. My home and that it is still there- a few of those payments have been late...not fun!
8. Excellent doctors
9. Family dinners
10. My job because I really do love it as much as I bitch about it
11. My freedom
12. The cold weather
13. The recent seemingly unpleasant experiences of the past few months and weeks that have taught me a lot about myself and the people around me.
14. My phone- it keeps me connected constantly- I am a slight slave to technology
15. My students for reminding me what it is like to be in their shoes
16. My graduate school opportunities
17. the fact that as many health problems and issues as I've had lately, I'm still together and able to function and work and be with my family.
18. For the fact that tomorrow I will sit at a table with my family and eat a delicious meal and enjoy conversation and time well spent.
19. For my daughter's smile and my son's laugh
20. The fact that my son can hear and has a vocabulary larger than mine some days


I am thankful for so much more that is in my heart and my head that would take forever to get out. I am thankful for each of you and for your friendship since starting this and your comments. I am thankful for the traditions of tomorrow and every holiday and family event. I am thankful tomorrow I will wake up and head to my parents and sit around with my family and tell each of them what I am thankful for...maybe I'll just print this out! :)