It came time to go around the table and say what we were most thankful for … and I blanked. I couldn’t talk and I passed. I’ll make one small excuse and note that my grandma went off on a bit of a tangent about working nights (her family will be happy to know that her first comment was that she was thankful her children were all alive).

Looking back, I feel really, really awful about it. My grandpa, were he alive, likely would have smacked me and said that of course I had to come up with something. Passing is for pansies. (I can actually hear him saying something of the sort). Far worse though, is that I know it hurt my mom. I told her (and my dad) later as I was leaving that I know I have much, so much, to be thankful for but it just didn’t feel right. I was sorry.

So, looking back, I could come up with an extensive list of “I’m thankful for’s”, but I won’t. I’ll simply say that I am, indeed, thankful. Shoot, on Thanksgiving alone I was blessed with a surprise first thing in the morning when Connor made me a turkey day card complete with turkey hunter and dying/dead turkey (photo below), the opportunity to snuggle with CJ and watch the Macy’s parade, a beautiful day to take a nice 8-mile bike ride and a dinner among the most supportive, loving family I could ever imagine. (And it was one Connor and I could enjoy gluten-free. Yay!)

May you too find a reason, today and every day, to give thanks. Or my grandpa will pop into your mind and call you a pansy as well.

“happy thanksgiving, everyone and mom. from connor. to mom.”