I was a grump on Thanksgiving.
A MAJAH Thanksgiving scrooge.
{Ask Jimmy….}
{on second thought, maybe don’t…}
I kind of knew it was going to happen, and yet I did nothing to prevent my mood.
I missed my sisters, I missed my dad….and while I tried to prepare myself,
my heart still ached knowing that I wouldn’t hear from the one parent I have left.
I sulked and cried and grumped all the day long.
And while I was busy focusing on all the things I didn’t have,
I absolutely missed out on the focus of Thanksgiving.
I missed out on being thankful that my husband spent hours that morning learning how to rewire our dashboard so that we could finally have air conditioning after 6 months of being without it.
I missed out on my kids excitement that both parents were home on a work day.
I missed out on the sun and the blue skies…
I missed out on it all.
And let me tell you, it was kind of a horrible feeling when the day was done and I crawled into bed realizing all that I had let slip away in my day.
It is SO easy to focus on the yuk, on the sad, on the “it’s not fairs,” on the why’s and why not’s….
but can I just say…
once I refocused it was INSANELY easier to focus on the amazing, and the inspiring, and on all of the incredible blessings.
And as I did that, I was able to end my day with my heart readjusted and smile on my lips.
But because I may need a reminder on the ick days that will most definitely come again, I thought it might be good to write down some of what came to mind.
~my relationship with the Lord, because as much as I have to grow in it, it’s still absolutely what gives me hope and joy each and every day.
~my husband who would lay down his life for me and for his kids…a man who is who he is only because of his own personal relationship with God.
~my incredible kids who laugh and love with reckless abandon….kids that inspire me and motivate me to become a better person.
~my sisters. They truly are my laughter, my lifelines, and my absolute best friends.
~my “adopted” parents who have been incredible examples to both Jimmy and I…and we can only hope that one day we will grow up and be just like them. People like them are few and far between, and Jimmy and I feel insanely blessed that we get to have them in our lives.
~and speaking of parents, I don’t know where we would be without Jimmy’s dad and his wife. They have been incredible to us, and to our kids, and I will never stop thanking God for them. They definitely are two of the most giving, selfless, and loving people I know.
~And a’course my best girlfriends. The bond we share, the safety I feel, the love we have….it’s more than I could have ever hoped for. These are the friendships that have stood the test of time….and I hope that I never ever stop expressing to you guys just how much you mean to me.
~and of course there is YOU. Where would I be without you guys that come here and take your time to read my thoughts and writing. And then even go above and beyond and leave comments letting me know that you’re there…that you care….I don’t say it often enough, but it means the world to me. Each and every one of you, each and every comment and email. It honestly blesses me more than you will ever know.
~and while things can never top the people, I still feel the need to list that I am thankful for Jimmy’s job, our incredible and amazing and adorably cozy house, and last but not least….
~for thrift stores (what?!? I am though…)….
My blessings don’t end there, duh, but the blog post for today does.
I’m sorry I missed the Being Thankful post that was SUPPOSED to come on the actual Thanksgiving day…
but not to sound too Hallmarky…
Tis better to have thanksgiving in our hearts late, than to have never had it at all.
Quick!
Write that down, that was a good one.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Every day.
© 2010 “Le Musings of Moi”
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Thanks for the reminder, Summer. I really needed it this year.
This was perfectly said. I can totally relate because I filled my day giving more headaches than thanks. By the end of the day, I simply remembered the very essence of the holiday and thought, “Oops, what have I done?” I was definitely the scrooge of my family’s Thanksgiving, but quickly made amends.
Awww…Summer, I am so sorry you were feeling sad! I have those moments, as we all do and it does overwhelm us. At least you were able to get your focus on and I’m sure the love from your family helped out tremendously!
I do enjoy coming by here :O) You always have some inspiration to your posts and it’s really nice (with some funny included…lol). You are a blessing to us as well!!
HUGS
after our day died down i was very quiet…..it was just the four of us and as crazy and chaotic of a family we have, i missed being with them…it’s sad and heartbreaking! i’m so glad we had a whip blash…and remember that getting back the spirit is most important regardless of the situations we’re in!:) xoxo
Better late than never, absolutely.
Happy Thanksgiving, pretty lady. xo
Summer, I’m thankful for your HONESTY. That’s one reason I love your blog. You are real and transparent! And, even though you were in a major funk for a day, God poured His grace on you and changed you heart and thinking. He is SO good to do this, even when we don’t deserve it. Here’s another cliche– When you have Jesus, every day is Thanksgiving! Love you!
Glad you came around with Thanksgiving spirit. 🙂