My boys are thankful for the cat. The cat doesn't seem to return the sentiment.With my pumpkin pie baking in the oven and the sound of two little boys running amok, I'm thankful to have a moment to reflect on all of the wonderful things we have in our lives. The Pilgrims had several dismal years with no knowledge of how to survive in this land, and at one point were rationed to five kernels of corn per day. There is a tradition of placing five kernels of corn beside everyone's plate at the dinner table on Thanksgiving, and talking about the five things they are most thankful for.
Here are my five:
1. Living in a nation where my children have good health care, access to plenty of nutrition, and a warm house to live in. My depth of gratitude for this is probably heightened because I just finished reading Cormac McCarthy's "The Road." Don't read this book unless you want to come away thoroughly depressed. Really, Cormac, what happened in your childhood? On the other hand, after reading such a horrific tale (cannibalism is just the beginning), you will be thankful for the very air you breathe.
2. Giggles. My boys giggle. A lot. I'm thankful that they're happy.
3. Tantrums. Yes, tantrums. They have their own opinions, and they're healthy enough to throw a fit. I'm exceedingly thankful for that.
4. Friends. Close friends, acquaintances, and online friends. Friends to grab a cup of coffee with, friends to vent with. Friends to laugh and play with. Friends to share similar experiences with. Friends are good.
5. Dibbadob Wibwobba. Nolan's newest phrase. It took me two hours to figure out what in the world the boy was saying. "Gobble Gobble, Wibble Wobble." It's a repeated phrase from his new favorite book: Ten Fat Turkeys. I'm thankful that he can hear and say this phrase. That he has a favorite book. I'm thankful that he was born in a time where services and technology allow him to have the same opportunities and abilities afforded kids in the mainstream. I'm thankful that these same services and technology will allow him to be in the mainstream.
6 comments:
I'm with you on each of those! Haven't read "The Road," but I'll go with you on the first one. And I'll personalize the last one with "I don't!!!", Ben's favorite phrase these days (roughly translates as "No" to whatever is being proposed), and a beautiful (if exasperating) symptom of his emerging executive autonomy. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! What a beautiful post! I love the idea of sharing 5 things that you're thankful for, just like the pilgrims!
What a great tradition! Love it! I think this is something that we are going to have to start doing, too.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Really a nice tradition.I really wish the best of health for all too.A very nice warm post.
Beautiful. I love the five kernel idea too. Very nice way to share with everyone what you're thankful for!
Julia- as for "The Road," don't read it. It is so tragic, and if you have a little boy.. all the more heart wrenching. It is one of those future dystopian type novels, but this one has absolutely no hope in its pages. It is well written, but too heavy and terrible for me to contemplate, especially having two little boys.
We are having a lot of tantrums these days- though most of ours stem from struggles over sharing toys. We're working on the "taking turns" concept (and we're also making sure that we have two of each toy type, since both boys are in the same age range and want to play with the same toy at the same time)!
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