Today, November 26, 2020, is the day that the United States stops and gives thanks. Historically, we’ve tied thanksgiving to when the continent was colonized and the pilgrims sat down with the indigenous people and shared a lavish meal and gave thanks. I’m not going into the truth about the first thanksgiving in this blog. I’m also not going to recap the turmoil of 2020 (sadly, we are all well aware). Despite the problems, there are always things for which, we can be thankful. I’m going to focus on those.
If 2020 were a normal year, I would have driven 600-miles to the arctic north (northwestern Indiana) to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I would grumble and complain about the long drive and the fact that my dad likes to keep the temperature at a tropical 85 degrees year-round (not joking in the least). Then, I would rush to get out of town as quickly as possible to avoid the chances of getting stuck in a snowstorm (someday, I need to convince these northerners to come south for Thanksgiving). This year, due to COVID, we decided to skip the family gathering. I ordered dinner from the Cracker Barrel and sat outside on my back deck and ate a tasty Thanksgiving dinner. True, it wasn’t exactly the same as my sister’s dressing or my mom’s potato salad, but it was good with minimal work on my part. While I missed seeing my family in person, I am still very thankful for all of them. So, many people have lost friends and loved ones this year, and I am very blessed that we’re all still here.
I am so thankful for the warm weather. It was in the mid-sixties and sunny in Eastern Tennessee. Sitting in the sunshine was awesome, especially since the contractors have FINALLY finished my fence and the poodles were able to run around and play as poodles should. The past 7 months since the tornado took out my deck and fence (April 12, 2020) were hard. However, I am thankful that the damage wasn’t worse and that the poodles and I survived. Plus, we now get to enjoy the new deck and fence.
For most of 2020, writing has been tough. Stories and ideas that used to flow easily, seemed to have dwindled away. I’ve muscled through to hit deadlines, but I was afraid the thrill I once felt at sitting down to write was gone forever. However, this past week has been very different. The joy and excitement are back and ideas are floating around my brain, just begging to be captured and written down. I’m thrilled to be working on some new ideas and for the first time since March, I FEEL like writing. It’s a great feeling and I’m thankful and excited to see where these stories take me.
Lastly, I’m really thankful to everyone who has read and supported me on my writing journey. Thanks to all of you, I get to do something that fills me with tremendous joy.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!