I am a little dismayed this week. I was in charge of plates and napkins for my son’s preschool Thanksgiving Feast. I looked everywhere in (and out) of town and there was nary a turkey plate to be had. I couldn’t even track down a cornucopia or the more neutral harvest leaves and pumpkins. I even checked all the discount stores that are notoriously out of season. There was nothing, this week of November 17th, nothing except Santa Claus and Reindeer plates-everywhere. It seems Christmas is not only here early, but it has replaced Thanksgiving all together.
So, as a protest against the skimming over of my favorite holiday I have decided to make Thanksgiving a week long affair. I will give thanks-every day on this here bloggity blog for things in my life. I would love to have your comments-even those who never comment-sharing what you’re thankful for too.
Let’s take back Thanksgiving-at lease while it is still November.
Let’s take back Thanksgiving-at lease while it is still November.
Today I am thankful for my body. I have spent a good deal of time in my life being critical of my body. The older I get, the easier it is to criticize. After all, as I age it is now pudgy and saggy-not a great combination. Today though, I am choosing to focus on all that my body is, not all that it isn’t.
My body might not be a perfect size 6 but no matter the tag on my jeans, it has never let me down in all of my 35 years. My body ran a marathon. My body has packed and moved more times than my brain can count.
My body helped create, nurtured and birthed three perfect, beautiful children. It was not easy but my body did it-each time I asked it to. My body allows me, every day, to wake up and pour, pack, stroll, chase, bound, tickle, swim, sword-fight bad guys, sit on the floor for puzzles and crafts, bend to tie a shoe and lay to snuggle. My body allows me to be a fun mom and a fast mom and a strong mom whenever I need to be. My body fights infections so that I am a healthy mom. My body puts up with the abuse I give it and comes back for more every single morning.
My body was responsible-in part- for snaring my husband all those years ago. Despite the overuse and occasional overindulgence that have added years and inches to this body it can still, on a good day, stop my husband in his tracks. What more can you ask from your body?
It is a good body. It is a strong body. It is a useful and dependable body, It is not a perfect body. But it is mine and I am forever thankful.
P.S. Looking for more parenting guidance and tips for self-care? Check out From Chaos to Calm a guided training to help you feel better in this tough season.
after much thought and vacillating i have to say i am thankful for my health. functioning healthy can be a struggle some days so doing so without good health would be a nightmare.
yeah, i know. i'm going to come down with h1n40 tomorrow.
I would have to say that I am thankful for my body. It has had a few repairs over the last few years and requires a little more maintenance. However, it still allows me to get up in the morning and get to work. It also lets me hang out with family and friends which leads to another thing I am thanful for – family. Especially 21 year old nephews that drop everything on a Saturday night to pick up their frantic Aunt after her car has broken down. Thanks Kyle.
I'm thankful for Sisters-in-law. xoxo, Aunt Bean
What a great post and I can't wait to read all week. It is time to take Thanksgiving back!
I am thankful for my body too. Everyday I drag it out of bed (creaking and cracking more and more everyday) and drag it aches and pains and all to my job (as a ballet teacher) that I love. I could not perform my job without my body and as we dancers like to say our body is our instrument! It may not be perfect, but it's the only body I have and for the most part it suits me quite well!!
Thanks for the great post and of course I'm sure I'll be commenting everyday. : )
Cathy
can i borrow your body? mine's old. 🙂
great post.
What am I thankful for, umm….. For granma Toni being right – things do happen for a reason and I came out the other side stronger and happier:) Oh and that Terps bball is picked to be pretty good this year:)
You are so dead on with this. We do not take enough time to be thankful. And, oh, how I take things (like my perfectly good, 37 year old body) for granted! Thanks for making me realize that, yes, my body allows be to do every single task I need to perform as a mom, wife, realtor, and home owner. It has NOT let me down in 37 years.
Even if I am "squishy" ( spoken out of love from my youngest)
-Cari J