[image error]

A friend of mine posted that little picture on Facebook this morning and it just cracked me up and prompted a blog post today, the day before Thanksgiving.

Now, in my professional human opinion, I think Thanksgiving should happen 4 times per year because I know for my pulled-in-multi-directions-daily family, we have a heck of a time sitting down to eat a meal together and yes, I hate admitting that but its the truth. When you have one off at college, two who are a part of everything social including but not limited to Young Life, High Life, the spirit section at all of the ball games, a boyfriend, one who doesn’t seem to want to eat at a designated time but simply graze, one not here, etc., etc., it can be hard to harness all of them in. Then mix me and the Professor in, as I work until 6 or 7 some nights, with the Professor’s schedule varying in the evenings, it’s quite an orchestration to lasso everyone in.

Although I see the Professor roll his eyes when everyone talks about what they are thankful for during the Thanksgiving meal, he’s a goober but this is what he does, I like taking those few minutes to hear what it is folks are thankful for because sometimes I find new insight into the person speaking that I may have missed now that we are all holding still in the same place together. I know I am very bad about being so wrapped up with my OT kids and their families providing the best care possible, my Hippotherapy program, the nutritional program, yoga, my other horse program at the ranch, now writing my 5th book, setting up my satellite clinic, reading, studying, getting my paperwork done, billing, etc., etc., that I fail to hold still and listen at times.

Now, my kids are awesome about yanking me down in a chair and saying, “Will you freaking listen to me for 5 minutes?” To which I usually respond with a look of oh shit, I suck again, “Wait, what? You need to talk? What’s the matter? Are you in trouble?” My kids always shake their little heads at me and say, “No, mom, chill. I just want to talk.”

I’m sad about my thought process when they want to talk. Am I really to the point in my life with regards to my kids that they only talk to me if something is wrong? I suck, but I’ll tell you though, I am thankful for my two kids who get me and yank me back when I am too far ahead of everyone with my head cut off.  I am thankful that I have been able to raise them by myself and see how wonderful they have turned out even though they had a huge bump in the road, they prevailed.

I am thankful for the Professor who will call my ass out when necessary and let me have it as needed. You may think this is weird, but I need it sometimes and I love that he has the gumption to do it. I return the favor, don’t get me wrong. I am thankful for the wonderful and awesome relationship we have full of love and respect, something I never thought I’d have, ever!

I am thankful for my bonus children and love it when the college one comes home so I can hug him, on my tippy toes, and cook for him, which brings me such joy. I am thankful for my youngest bonus son who makes me wet my pants laughing at some of the things he says. He is a nugget of joy, y’all. I am thankful for my bonus daughter and although things have not always gone smoothly in her direction, I cherish the time when she comes over and she and I get to have one of those lovely conversations as I sit there and gawk at how beautiful she is.

I am not thankful for taxes, violence, innocent people dying, children having unspeakable things happen to them, my kids deteriorating high school situation, and all the other crap that is happening in our world right now. But, I am thankful for prayer and although I can’t fix these things with my hands, I can put my hands together, get down on my knees, and pray my heart out about them.

I hope all of you get the chance to be together and talk about what it is you are thankful for. I hope everyone can hold still long enough for lovely conversations to happen as well as just being together. People need each other, that’s why there are so many of us, ya know?

Love y’all!!