Tuesday, Nov. 24
Posted 2 p.m. EST
The Thanksgiving holiday is a time for indulgence, so allow me to indulge in a sentimental reflection of things for which I am thankful.
I thank God I was not born beautiful or rich. If beauty were a trait of mine, I would have spent the last two decades lamenting its loss. And if I were born rich, I would lack the incentive to do my best.
I am thankful for the abundance in my life, not measured by assets, but for prosperity in the form of good health and strong relationships with family and friends. My parents are still vibrant and alive. They live nearby, so I see them often. I walk almost nightly with my dad, something we did together regularly when I was a child.
I give thanks for my loving husband who is a wonderful cook and my best friend. And I'm thankful we have two children who will graduate from college next month. My daughter will have a bachelor's degree in elementary education; my stepson's degree will be in criminal justice. They've come a long way, yet they're just embarking on their journeys.
And I'm so very thankful to have a grandson who brings me so much joy.
I appreciate having a job that feeds my intellectual curiosity and enriches my life in more ways than just material. Especially in the field of journalism, a good job is a rare treasure. And the people with whom I work are a pleasure to be around, a good thing since we are crammed together in a cube environment.
I'm glad the stock market, after bursting into flames, rose from the ashes. Though no one knows if it will continue on an upward trajectory, at least it gives us pause to contemplate the next course of action.
I was pleasantly surprised to get a call from my friend Dhiana, with whom I spent a semester in Grenoble, France, when we were college sophomores. We have the sort of friendship that picks up where it left off. I'm lucky to have several friendships like that.
I'm grateful to be a boomer -- not back in that time of youth and uncertainty where a social faux pas might've driven me into a tailspin of anxiety and self-flagellation. Midlife is an age of confidence, comfort and opportunity. There's still much to be done, and no time for regrets.
Finally, I'm thankful to be invited to my in-laws' home for Thanksgiving dinner. They are a good, caring family with whom I'm happy to have a connection. I'm bringing red cabbage -- my mother's recipe -- but otherwise, I won't have to cook this holiday. Which suits me just fine.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
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