During one of my 5 Thanksgiving meals this year, we went around the table to say what we were thankful for. And of course, the usual suspects were named: family, friends, health, home, food, and clothing. They are the big things we are thankful for and are the easiest to come to mind. During some down time during our Thanksgiving marathon celebration week, I asked my kids, my niece and nephew, and Jamie to come up with some not so obvious things to be thankful for. It was an exercise I wanted to put them through because I wanted them to think outside of the box, try a little harder to think of things and experiences that make our lives easier, more fulfilled, and happier. And truthfully, I was procrastinating from cleaning up the kitchen and wanted to do basically anything else, including making random lists. At first, the kids struggled and gave me versions of “family” or “health” and would be frustrated when I told them to come up with something else. I said, “Look, I’m thankful for these rubber gloves that I wear when I do the dishes because I’m constantly cleaning up after you guys and my hands get all torn up. See, little things like that.” After more complaining and then putting actual effort into thinking about it, they came up with a pretty solid list. Here are a few things they are thankful for that never really make it on the typical Thanksgiving List:
-“When the sun shines on me and I feel the warmth on my heart.”
-“Animals because they provide company when we’re scared.”
-“Shoes because you can run without being barefoot.” (I did say that was a form of clothing, but I allowed it)
-“Music because it helps you come up with dance moves and gives you energy in your body.”
-“Big trees because it gives the whole entire universe oxygen.”
-“Grass because you can step on it and it feels so smooth.”
-“Toys, technology, and video games because they entertain us.”
-“Beds because they help you sleep.”
-“Glasses because I could see much better in these and it makes stuff not blurry.”
-“School because you learn useful life skills from it.”
-“Dancing because it makes me feel happy.”
-“Silence because it helps me focus.” (My nephew said this one as he struggled to find an answer while the girls were yelling and playing loudly)
-“Gymnastics because it makes me feel happy and taught me new things, and I’ve made new friends that feel like family.”
-“Pans because they help you cook.”
-“Dr. Altman and the Prentice staff for saving my wife and my family.”
-“Dr. Murray, Katie, Marissa, and Liz for helping my knee recover and getting back on the volleyball court.”
-“God for all the blessings he’s given our family.” (Kind of a usual suspect one, but I allowed it because it would give him points from our parents…and probably God too)
-“My career which helps me support my family.”
-“Brown because it is the emblem of so much joy in my life.” (My biggest kid said this one, shocker)
I thought they came up with a pretty good list. And more importantly, I hope they learned to pause for a second and remember the little things in life that we often forget about or take for granted. In forcing them to play along with my little exercise, I came up with a few goodies myself:
-Text messaging so I don’t actually have to call anyone
-A dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer
-A solid wi-fi signal
-A family calendar that 3 out of 4 members reference on a regular basis
-Alexa (while I’m sure we’re being spied on somehow by “The Man” through Alexa, it is quite versatile in its uses, including a readily available timer when I need to threaten the kids, a quick calculator or dictionary, provider of terrible knock-knock jokes and other games that the kids love, and an eager D.J. that always keeps this house lively)
-clean running water
-coffee (I know this falls under the category of food, but it saves lives around here)
-Living in a neighborhood with lots of kids and great parents
-Great teachers
-Board games
-Volleyball
-Working out in our basement without worrying about how I look or if I even brushed my teeth
-Our lawn guy
-When my family genuinely thanks me for a meal I cooked
-Deodorant (preferable one that works)
-Dry shampoo
-Elastic pants
-Knowing that states of mind are as temporary or permanent as you make them
-Second chances (and third, and fourth, and fifth…)
I think I can go on and on once I am in the right mind set, and it’s a good exercise for me to go through, especially when life gets so busy and I need to slow things down and reset. And even when I’m grateful for these little things, of course I am also grateful for those big ones that get all the love around Thanksgiving too. It is just nice to remember that both these big and small ticket items play huge rolls in making everyday life not only liveable, but worthwhile and fulfilling. Happy Thanksgiving to all, and may you be grateful for both your family and your travel size hand sanitizer that came to your rescue when you went to that gas station bathroom, all in the same breath.
The Mundame 