As I was sitting on the couch, still stuffed from lunch and thankful that I had survived many a near death encounter trying to get out of Wal-Mart after the 6:00 sales had begun, I noticed that Facebook was littered with multiple listings of heartfelt feelings of thanksgiving. Apparently there is a contract stating the requirement to post at least one “tug at the old heartstrings” comment on this day of thanks. So, not wanting to anger the Facebook police, I felt that I should follow suit.
However, I’ve opted to take a look at my gratefulness by examining those things that have been annoying, but really aren’t. You know, those minor things like having to toss out nearly $100 of food because the refrigerator door was left open and coming home from work nearly exhausted every night. Things that, while annoying contain an underlying theme that is truly worthy of thanksgiving.
1. Sitting at Wal-Mart at 4:00 pm on Thanksgiving. After seeing my life flash before my very eyes braving the crowds of heathen scum who had the audacity to shop on Thanksgiving Day when they should have been sitting around a living room feeling bloated and burping the Star Spangled Banner in three-part harmony, I breathed a sigh of relief when we finally escaped the parking lot until my wife announced we were heading to Toys-R-Us. My first thought was What on Earth am I doing? But, seeing the look of glee on Lisa’s face, I reconsidered. We had a feast for lunch with family and friends. Lisa’s mother and grandmother had left, to take a much needed nap. Lisa’s brother had taken the girls to see Frozen, so the house was empty. We didn’t have anything better to do, unless you count cleaning the disaster that was our kitchen. Plus, money is tight. Not having a raise for six years straight will do that to you. Like adventurers of old, we set forth for king, queen, and the acquiring of booty (and by booty, I don’t mean the new pair of Uggs that Meggie keeps hinting would be a great gift). Was the store crazy? Sure, but Lisa and I rarely get to spend time alone with each other, unless you count collapsing on the couch at ten o’clock once all of the girls’ homework and activities have been accomplished. While sitting on the cement floor in the Home and Garden/Christmas section of Wal-Mart wasn’t the most romantic of interludes, we had a lot of fun. Plus, we saved over $200 on Christmas gifts.
2. Constantly being interrupted with questions while great works of literature are trying desperately to travel from my brain to my computer. It never fails that when the creative juices are flowing like a raging river and scenes of such eloquence that Shakespeare, himself, would rise from the grave to congratulate me are exploding in my mind, someone will intrude upon my contemplations. Questions such as “Watcha doing?” “Can I help?” and “What’s cinnamon made from?” interrupt my train of thought and dam the creative river flowing from my soul. While highly annoying, and I’m pretty sure I would have won a Newberry Award for literature with some of those lost thoughts, I am grateful for the attention. You see, the interruptions usually come from Meggie, age 11, and Peyton, age 9, and I know it won’t be much longer before I’m filed away in the “lame” category by my two girls, if for no other reason than I used the word “lame” in a sentence. I teach high school and I’ve seen this transition in the mindset of my students many times over the past twenty years. At a certain age, children begin to expand their worldview, they begin to contemplate their futures, and their parents lose their place in the center of the universe. I know this time is fast approaching, so any attention I get from Meggie and Peyton is cherished.
This is partly to blame for the fact that I’m posting a Thanksgiving Day blog three days late. Of course the delay was also propagated by my wife having me do quite a few things around the house and never discount the amazing powers of turkey for inducing naps as well as a Star Wars marathon over the break.
3. Having to throw out quite a bit of food because the refrigerator door was left open. This event happened a few weeks ago when a certain malcontent left the scene of the crime without properly securing the evidence. In other words, Peyton was rushing to get her lunch pulled together for school and forgot to close the refrigerator door. By the time we returned home, I think a new form of life had evolved in the milk jug and had started forming an army for the assault upon the Grand Republic of the Sandwich Meat. Let’s just say it was ugly. While both Lisa and I probably won’t win any parenting awards for our handling of this situation, the incident demonstrated something for which I am thankful. My girls are growing up and assuming more responsibilities. It means that Meggie and Peyton are trying to be more self sufficient instead of yelling, “Mommy! Daddy! Get me (insert name of any object that happens to be on the mind of a young child here). Do they succeed at all of their endeavors? No, but you have to start somewhere.
4. Stagnant pay for the past six years…Nah, I’m still pissed over that!
5. The privilege of teaching kids no matter what the state does to my job. I’m a teacher. The past few years have been rough. Class sizes have grown, expectations have grown, my paycheck has not grown, and many a fellow teacher has left the field. However, it is still a privilege to teach my students and an honor to play a part in their lives.
6. Getting kicked in the face while walking across my den. I know life can be rough and sometimes you will be faced with adversity. I understand this, but I never expected walking across the floor in my house would become a contact sport. That’s what happens when you live with a dancer and a gymnast. I’m just thankful that they are doing something they love. I’m also thankful I wasn’t holding a plate of tomato sauce, which I’m sure would have stained the carpet.
7. I mourned the loss of friends and family. I debated putting this last thought in this post, but decided to do it. With the recent passing of a coworker and the death of Lisa’s dad last June, death has been on my mind lately, so I think it is fitting to include this topic in a post concerning Thanksgiving. Not because the day was dark and depressing, not because it reminded me of the empty chair combined with the missing food item cherished by a lost loved one. I decided to include this topic because death puts things in perspective. It makes you appreciate the simple joy of sharing a day with family and friends, knowing that some time, in the hopefully distant future, you will be parted by a barrier that cannot be overcome. I am truly thankful for the chance to share yet another Thanksgiving with the people I love.
cputnamblog 