A week has passed just like that. I hadn't meant to abandon everything here like that. I find that I'm feeling the need to pull back and regroup and figure out what my next best step is. Meanwhile, we're smack-dab in the middle of the holiday season. The long Thanksgiving weekend went by in a whirlwind of family and friends and ferry rides.
Stayed up late one night talking with my sister. I used to know her better than anybody and now she is this almost-stranger who looks like me. We talk mostly about family stuff. I am so glad to have her in my life; I know that someday we will be closer again. For now we are like that line in the song Southern Cross: "My love is an anchor tied to you, tied with a silver chain." There is a bond there that can't be broken, but there are many links between us.
The rest of the weekend made me think of a quirky little Elton John song, Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters. "I thank the lord for the people I have found."
Then there is my mom, who is essentially my co-parent, who always is there when I need her for a child care emergency or a financial emergency, or advice, or help with Hijo's dad, or anything at all. I don't even have to ask, she is just there.
At Thanksgiving dinner we were given slips of paper and pencils to write down what we were thankful for. I think I misunderstood the instructions, because most everyone wrote just one thing. I made a list. I started with, "I am grateful that Hijo is healthy" and I just kept going until I got to the bottom of my little paper and there was no more room.
You made a gratitude list without prompting. The attitude of gratitude is what gets me through plenty of days. I am glad you have so many things to appreciate in your life and that you recognize them easily. Here is a link to a New York Times article that discusses keeping a gratitude journal. It links to a blog called "the happiness project" that I have been following for awhile. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/fashion/22grateful.html?ex=1353387600&en=6d1efe432f63c7d5&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Posted by: anita | 11/26/2007 at 11:55 AM
Oh I'm glad to see you back, you left us kinda hanging there, I thought that was it!
I have so many things to be grateful for that I'd run out of paper even if it was a mile long, but like you, at the top of that list is the health of my children, I'm grateful for that every minute!
Posted by: Lisa G | 11/26/2007 at 12:58 PM
I think you did it right, putting down as much as possible...
It is so nice to have a family who you can truly appreciate - I consider it one of my blessings.
Posted by: jeanie | 11/26/2007 at 03:38 PM
You know how I was all understanding on your personal blog? That was before you implied this one is signing off too. Now what do I do? Email you?? Oh yeah, I guess I could do that. I'm thankful for a lot of things, but I continue to be selfish, and one of my selfish wishes is for you to keep on blogging. Thank you for this; I haven't made my list yet and need to do it.
Posted by: cc | 11/26/2007 at 06:10 PM
Very insightful!
Posted by: Everything Anything and Nothing | 11/30/2007 at 09:03 AM
Hi, how I can send PM?
Posted by: proslaviy | 09/16/2008 at 05:12 AM