Yep, I’m doing it. I’m taking Thanksgiving as an opportunity to write about being…thankful. Call me cliche. (I actually wouldn’t mind that at all, because I LOVE cliches.)
I will point out however that you cannot call my 2017 Thanksgiving cliche. Well, maybe the cinnamon rolls and Macy’s parade this morning were a tad cliche, BUT that quickly changed. Mom, dad and I went to the movies (side note, Justice League wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be, but how does Marvel just do such a better job) followed by dinner at…Waffle House. I feasted on a chocolate chip waffle and hashbrowns. Pretty non-cliche, hmm?
Anyways. Back to giving thanks. Honestly, I hope no one would deny that we could ALL use more gratitude in our lives – both giving and getting. But mostly giving. Because it’s not joy that makes us grateful, but gratitude that makes us joyful. And I think it’s pretty cool that in a world of everyone going as fast as they can, rarely stopping to smell the roses or truly appreciate what we have, that on this one day, many of us actually stop, take a breath, and spend the time acknowledge to ourselves (and all of our social media follows, let’s be real) all the things in our lives that deserve gratitude. Which really is everything, but that’s a tangent I won’t get carried away with today – lucky you.
So despite my Thanksgiving not containing any turkey, extended family, or even changing out of sweatpants, I still want to give some thanks, k? K. The following vary greatly in significance and are in no particular order.
– Mom & Dad: and of course my entire fam, but these two are the OG favorites and quite literally the reason I exist. Beyond bringing me into the world and dealing with the brat I was as a child, they have always always ALWAYS supported me, pushed me into the scary unknown if for my own good, and I can always count on them to get my sense of humor. They even let this token millennial move back home at the age of 26 so she could pay off her debt (hey, I’m making progress) and are super patient when she leaves dirty dishes in the sink. No two people I’d rather go to the movies with on Thanksgiving.
– French Toast Crunch: yes, the cereal. I forgot it made a comeback a couple of years ago and I bought some yesterday and I’m just really excited about it.
– Arya Alexandra-Grace VanEeuwen: I’m getting to that age I guess where my friends are starting to have babies? Weird. Anyways. I’m sure you remember the blog post I wrote about my dearest friend, my ‘ride-or-die’ Lizzie, because my writing is so memorable and marvelous, I’m sure it’s all you think about. Well, LIZZIE HAD A BABY. She BIRTHED A HUMAN BEING. The concept is still so bizarre to me, but that little muffin is the most precious thing I think I’ve ever met. And although I fought for her name to be Arya Tori VanEeuwen, I still love her and adored getting to spend Monday meeting her – and watching Lizzie become a mom.
– Grace: I don’t just mean in like a spiritual or theological way, but as broadly as can be. Grace that, no matter how many times I’m late for something or forget to say “happy birthday” or I put my foot in my mouth, my friends still love me. Grace that, no matter how many times I snap at my mom when she asks me a question or how many dirty dishes I leave around (you can clearly tell it’s a thing I do often) she forgives me. Grace that, even if I’ve made some dumb mistakes with money or about boys or watch too much tv, I still think I’m pretty okay. (Self-grace is still a work in progress, but I think I’m getting there?)
– Charlie: ugh okay ALL DOGS, I’m grateful for EVERY DOG EVER, but this needy little guy is just the cuddliest, silliest creature and I love him so much I could barf.
– Possibility: I’M SORRY ABOUT BEING CLICHE AGAIN BUT I CAN’T HELP IT. Your life/future/world are so freaking open with possibility, I don’t care how old you are. I’m certainly still a plan-driven person but I’ve learned to let that go in a larger sense and truly appreciate not knowing what’s going to happen in the proverbial ‘future.’ I’m genuinely getting giddy as I write this just thinking about what lies ahead. Side note: I may have also had some wine, which could be contributing to this point but like HONESTLY GUYS how cool is it that ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN. ANYTHING. IN. THE. WORLD. Wow, anything in the world? Now I feel like I should go buy some hiking boots and a compass and a portable iPhone charger, just in case. Maybe I’ll score some Black Friday deals.
– Seasons: weird, right? NO. Idk, I think it’s cool that seasons change and each one brings about a new sense of being. This time of year is probably my favorite, partially because it’s time for ALL the best fashion, but also I’m going into full-hibernation mode to read a lot, write a lot, and prepare for 2018. This year I’m actually setting some specific goals, which is something I’ve never really done before, and I’m pretty freaking pumped. AND, when I’m not hibernating, I so prefer social activities this time of year. They’re festive or celebratory, or just downright cozy. Even meeting a friend at a coffee shop or girl’s night at a friend’s house – you arrive all bundled up, then immediately find a place to shimmy into and get cozy in conversation. Tell me that’s not the best.
Alright, I’ve rambled enough for now. Bottom line: life is good. So good. Even when things are so freaking hard, life is STILL good. Because you’re alive. And if you’re alive, of course you’re alright.
Happy Thanksgiving! And if you’re still reading this, I’m grateful for you, too. 😉
Going to eat some French Toast Crunch now, because duh.
Curiously,
Tori
