A Thankful Thanksgiving

The turkey has just been transferred to the oven and now the wait begins. Will i be proud and excited after the end of four or so hours or will it be a sad moment? (Think Griswold’s). 

The house has been cleaned I think. Since my minimizing journey began years back it  takes so much less time to clean. So that’s fun. 

I’m excited to see which family members will be with us today since most of them have more than one party to attend. Regardless, the food is ready!

Is is going to be a perfect day? I’m not sure but guessing it’s not. Is it going to be a crummy day? I can say for a fact it is not. But what if things go wrong? What if the food tastes bad? What if no one comes? What if they come and are grumpy? What if I’m grumpy for staying up too late cooking? What if someone gets sick? What if there’s an argument? What if I forgot something? What if we run out of food? What if someone finds a dirty spot in my home? What if they come but leave early? 

Because of what I choose to do, think, say,  see, hear, and feel I know it’s going to be a really good day. It’s Thanksgiving and if things go wrong, it gives me a chance to laugh. If the food tastes bad, I’ll get advice from someone else around the table (and keep the salt and pepper close by). If no one comes, my husband and I will have an anniversary feast together (#37). And enough leftovers to get me out of cooking for a week or two. If they come and are grumpy, I can really listen to hear what’s going on in their lives. If I am tired and grumpy, I can suck it up. If someone gets sick, I get the chance to care for them.  If there’s an argument, we can practice listening to each other without reacting back. If I forgot something, I get to flex my creativity muscle. If we run out of food it’s only be because it’s 2020. And I have snacks. If someone finds a dirty spot in my home, it will probably make them feel more relaxed. And finally, if they have to leave early, it’s Hallmark Christmas movie time!

How can we not be thankful? There is always something to be thankful for. I can’t remember the exact Corrie Ten Boom story from “The Hiding Place” but she was thankful for the fleas. The fleas and lice kept the concentration camp guards away from them. Thankfulness is always a choice. 

So remember that Griswold turkey and how perfect it looked on the outside? The outside doesn’t matter if the inside isn’t in order. If my turkey caves in will I cry like Catherine or will I choose to be more like Clark and just add more gravy?!

Have a thankful Thanksgiving!