* * * My Words, My World, My Way * * *

Please Write: ALewisPDX@gmail.com

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Thanksgiving Week Dawns

The brothers-in-law have left, we just now deposited them at the airport. It's trying its best to snow but mostly rain. And the Celebration of Life was yesterday -- our condo was filled with 25 loving, caring friends who have been a part of our lives for numerous years now. LoverBoy is writing thank you notes as I write this. Our lives as we have known them over the last eight years are now over. God, it's quiet in this place. I could say that our lives will now be returning to normal but I'm afraid that I really don't take stock in "normal."

I'm working on a list. I've been working on it for some time now. It is still just a bunch of notes on a catering sheet from work at this point. Not quite sure when or how it will be final. Or what shape it will take. But I just know that it is time to recenter myself, returning to the roadway instead of tossing gravel about as the edges of my tires try their best to leave the proper path. There are definitely seasons to our lives -- looking back I can count many times when things were either up or down, driven to this direction or that because of the cycles in my life. The good, the bad. It all adds up to this thing we call our lives. I've been thinking a lot about focus. About prioritizing. About picking my Top 3, or 5, or even 10. What are my, say, Top 5 most important things in my life....the things that add value to my life, the things that will last into my old age, the things that I will be glad I did when I die. And about ridding myself of distractions, toxic activities or relationships, and negativity that taints one's heart and soul. Oh yeah, I'm a thinker, an analyzer. But I like me. For who I am. For who I can become.

This week is Thanksgiving. I'm not a giant fan of any particular holiday, nor a disliker either. But I like the word.....Thanksgiving. I'm a generally thankful person. One of the things on the list (alluded to above) that I'm creating is that at the end of each day, I want to pat myself on the back for one good thing I did that particular day and I want to also remember one poor thing I did that day....to remind myself to not to it again. Thanksgiving brings up those sorts of thought processes for me. Today, I am thankful for all of you. Not just "my readers" but my friends. For a million reasons not the least of which is all of the support you've given me, us!, over the past years as we've dealt with my in-laws and their care. I'm not quite sure where I'd be without your emails, comments, texts and actual in-person love! Thank you....on this Thanksgiving week.

9 comments:

Blair said...

As Thanksgiving week dawns, I take stock in knowing that I am and will forever be thankful for you and all you do for me. I couldn't have made it through what has turned out to be one of the most difficult weeks of my life without your unconditional love.

Java said...

My deepest condolences to you and Blair on the loss of his mother. I don't think I have taken the opportunity to say that yet.

May your Thanksgiving be a special blessing for you and Blair this year. I'm sure it will be hard, with you MIL so recently gone. My thoughts are with you both.

Jim said...

I'm thankful that I found your blog and that you stop by mine! I'm thankful for my blogger buddies as I call you. Would love to have you and your husband visit Dallas sometime!

Unknown said...

Know that you and Blair have some big ole hugs from us southern boys... we recently lost someone near and dear to us and are still trying to get our arms around it... our thoughts and prayers are with you both...

Ur-spo said...

I like giving thanks too. Stopping and being beware of what makes us grateful and thankful is a very good thing to do indeed.
I try to do this on a regular basis, especially when I am feeling nasty.

I agree with Jim; one of my thanks is knowing blogger buddies like you.

Lemuel said...

Just last evening we watched The Bucket List on TV. Your post echoed the serious point of that film.

Birdie said...

Sweetheart, you are a blessing to all who get to read your blog. You share about yourself and we find commonalities that bind us. And so we share your sorrow at a time when we remain thankful for our connection. Be well and at peace.

LSL said...

It sounds like you are finding your way, Lewis. I love your spirit and your authenticity - and I love that you put it all out there for us to learn from and share and enjoy. Happy Thanksgiving to you guys. I'm sure it's a really hard one, but you've got a lot of love coming to you from all over. xo

tornwordo said...

I'm glad you can start a new chapter now. Giving thanks is a nice way to start. Hugs.