Monday, December 1, 2008

"I just want to give a special thanks to..."

Thanksgiving is not one of my favorite holidays.

I would rather draw a turkey from the shape of my hand than attempt to cook one, and count each strand of my hair than go out at anytime on ‘Black Friday’.

The only thing I can appreciate about the holiday is its meaning; taking a moment to stop and really think about what you’re thankful for. There are so many things that we have to be thankful for, most of which we fail to acknowledge on a daily basis, but give special recognition to during the holiday season.

It doesn’t take the end-of-the-year festivities to remind me that I’ve been blessed with a beautiful, loving family, and amazing friends who make up my extended family. The words ‘thanks’ and ‘gratitude’ cannot even begin to express my love and appreciation for each of them, and I try to let them know how much they mean to me as often as possible.

There are a few things however, that I especially want to give a few words of thanks to:

-A peace of mind: At the end of the day, I am comforted in knowing that although everything may seem to be in a whirlwind, that no more than what I can handle is placed upon my shoulders. Everything in life happens for a reason, and at the time and season it is intended. Understanding that allows me a deep, peaceful sleep at night.

-I am nobody’s wife or mother…yet: I adore children, and can see myself married with a house full, but I know that point in time is nowhere in my near future. Right now I like having me, my time, my space, my food, and my money all to myself!! Being able to admit this prevents me from inevitably resenting my future husband and children. I refuse to use them as an excuse as to why I didn’t have the time to explore and celebrate the multi-faceted woman that is me, prior to committing my life to someone else.

-Bills: Not a likely thing to appear on a list such as this, but I’m thankful for them nonetheless! Having, receiving, and (most importantly) PAYING bills reinforce my independence! The fact that I am able to put a roof over my head, put food in my belly, and have health benefits in my name tells me ‘I can do this’; ‘this’ meaning I can provide for myself. Sitting down to write out my monthly budget and payment due dates is truly a liberating experience for me, and something I (oddly) look forward to :)

-My hands: These hands of mine are always doing something…typing, texting, writing, describing, cooking, cleaning, primping, assembling, driving, creating, painting…the list goes on forever and ten days! They’re my makeup tools, my story tellers, and the perfect display models for my latest manicure. Always willing to hang in there, even when the rest of me isn’t, I try to take good care of them, and they most definitely return the favor.

That’s my list, albeit short, and not all-encompassing of the many things I am indeed thankful for, but what about you? Shake yourself out of that honey-baked ham induced coma, and really think about it:

What are you thankful for? What in your life deserves some special recognition?

You don’t have to wait for the holidays to acknowledge it, but there is no time like the present…

2 comments:

San Holt said...

I want to give a special thanks for beautiful, liberated women like the four of you. You make me so very proud.

S.M.Hayes said...

Thanks so much Mama Holt...you lead the way.