grounded growth

Yesterday I went to the mall. I very rarely take the plunge, anymore, into consumer crazytown but I had a coupon and a friend needed a new pair of shoes, so off I went.

It was full on Christmas. Music piped in, decorations were hanging from every nook and cranny, even Santa was there, holding court with a few bored elves in center court.  The stores were chock-a-block stocked to the gills with schlock. The windows were filled with extravagant displays of possible presents for everyone and anyone.  And while I’m a huge fan of Santa, love hearing, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” no matter what time of year it is, and generally am in love with ornaments of all shapes and sizes; I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

This week, I just want to celebrate Thanksgiving.

In all of the rush of our crazy culture, the day designated for us to slow down and give thanks for all that we have gets rushed out of the door for all that we think we need.

In fact, all that we really need is what this week is all about.

This week, many of us will descend on a home full of loved ones for a feast lit by candles and dessert enough to feed an army. Some of us will spend the day with just one other and order take-out and watch a movie. A bunch of us will whine about our families and how someone did something to someone that someone thought was something awful.  And a few of us won’t have anywhere special to go or anything special to eat.

No matter what our Thanksgiving day plans, each of us has something in our lives to be grateful for, someone in our lives that makes our days better or some moment that has been meaningful to us.

No matter where I am or who I am with or what my situation is on Thanksgiving; this week is an opportunity to take stock. Not of all the things I have to do to get ready for Christmas; but of all that I have to be grateful for right now in this very moment.

I’ll be making my grandma’s noodles and knitting with my niece.  I’ll be in the warm company of most of my family with a full belly and a full heart.  I’ll be thinking about those whose situations may be different from my own. I’ll be worrying about a few of my students who won’t have enough to eat and I’ll be sending out good vibes to a great friend whose space is being invaded by folks she’s not comfortable with.

I’ll be taking stock of all that is good in my life: Family. Love. Food. Warmth. Friends. Shelter. Meaningful Work. Freedom.

Christmas shopping can wait. This week, I just want to be grateful.