I am having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit. I have so much to complain about that it’s hard to feel thankful. Which might be because we’re not actually having a Thanksgiving meal. It’s hard to get in the mood when there’s no turkey and pumpkin pie. Maybe it’s because I’m meeting with another surgeon to discuss back surgery…again. That can really suck the merry out of things, too. Or because our two “girl” rabbits had babies, and now I find myself taking care of a mother and three babies that have to be separated from the dad…or we’ll end up with even more. Also NOT on my list of fun. Cleaning up after and feeding 5 rabbits was not what I signed on for. Plus there’s the addition on our house that has cost more in time and money than we expected, and still isn’t close to being done. And there’s the snow. We’ve had major snow in the last week – and of course my Hot Oil Man is gone. I’ve spent HOURS in the last week shoveling snow. We went from beautiful fall weather to -20 degrees with a foot a snow and icy roads practically over night. First semester grade conferences are also due, and I haven’t had a chance to schedule ours because I haven’t had a spare moment in the last month! And that’s not going to improve any time soon because I got selected for jury duty in the month of December…nothing says “Happy Holidays” like good ol’ jury duty. Here, you have to call in every day for the entire month to see if you’re needed the next day. So I pretty much can’t make any plans for the entire month of December, and I need to have babysitters standing by for the two weeks my Hot Oil Man will be gone. My tension level is through the roof and I’m feeling ungrateful instead of thankful.
But I don’t want to be a Grinch! I’m going to work on my attitude and outlook. I need to take the advice that I give to my kids, which is you can’t be upset while you’re thinking about all your blessings. There’s no room for negative thoughts if your mind is occupied with the positive. So in the midst of my stress and self-pity, I need to come up with a list of blessings to turn my Ungrateful Thanksgiving into a Happy Thanksgiving.
I am thankful for my wonderful husband and his job. I have amazing friends and family. I’m thankful for my kids and the opportunity to homeschool – even when it does cause extra work and stress. The time we’ve spent together is worth it. I’m thankful I have a warm house. Even with all the issues we’ve had with it lately, just having a place to call home is such a blessing. I’m glad we’re safe and protected and live in a place where we’re allowed to worship God. I’m thankful there’s food on our table – even if it isn’t a turkey and all the fixings.
I don’t have to look very hard and I can see numerous things to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is more than a meal, it’s a day to be grateful and concentrate on your blessings instead of your complaints. It’s a time to think about what you have, not what you want – and I have SO much.
After my attitude adjustment, I’m hoping for a Grateful Thanksgiving instead of a Grumpy Thanksgiving.
