Here are some pictures from the Hayes/O’Neill/McGrath Turkey Day in 1982. 29 years later, and I was still at the kids table this year – I hope I never graduate. I love my sister with the pop-pom wig. The only person missing is our all-time leader in pictures taken, my dad. And even though both of my grandparents pictured have since passed, they live on in spirit with every laugh my family shares. I’m so lucky to have these people in my life.
I’m so freakin’ thankful. I started my day just like I’d love to start every day – by playing hockey. My Crohn’s was making my stomach hurt, but I played through it and made sure I burned some of the calories I was hoping to eat later.
After resting and recharging at my parents, it was off to my aunt and uncle’s for a perfect meal with my some of my favorite people. There was laughter, NFL football, my uncle’s wonderful grace, eating, playing football (a pick-6 was my highlight), dessert, and more laughter.
Then, it was another brief rest at my parents followed by seeing The Muppets with a group taking up almost an entire row. My nephews and niece gave it “so-so, pretty good” sideways thumb reviews, but I thought it was great. Someday we’ll find the rainbow connection, and I think it will be on a day like this…
It was five years ago, and I was struggling professionally and emotionally. It had been a difficult year for me and with the holidays approaching, I wondered how I would handle it if the season didn’t lift my spirits. Then, my nephew gave me this turkey and I knew I was going to be all right.
Here is what “B” wanted me to know he was thankful for – Cards, Emails?, your car, funny things, movies, you, your college (his parents went to BU and Providence College, but he roots for BC), seats?, your name (we have the same middle name).
This homemade gift was just what I needed to remind me how much I had to be happy for and how much my family meant to me. I knew no matter how the rest of my life was going, as long as I had my family to support me, things would work out.
I started being thankful for what I had instead of feeling bad for what I didn’t have. It took time, but I started to laugh more and began using The Secret. And a few months later, I found my job at Hope Lodge. It’s so simple and easy to see life through a glass half full lens. I see people with cancer do it everyday I’m at work. Be thankful for what you have, and keep laughing. Think about the things you want instead of stressing over what you don’t want. Thanks for helping me out, “B”, and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I hope everyone remembers what they have to be thankful for this week and all weeks.
I’ve said this many times before, but I think Thanksgiving gets the shaft as far as holidays go. Christmas stuff comes out in the store sometimes even before Halloween, and poor Turkey Day is forgotten. Without having to worry about what to buy for whom and trying to minimize the amount of time I spend shopping, Thanksgiving reminds me what is most important in my life: my family. And every Thanksgiving I’ve spent with my family was been full of laughter. My awesome cousin Katie has started her own tradition of having a game night the Saturday after Turkey Day. We usually play Apples to Apples, Cranium, and this write the first line to a book game called Liebrary (trust me, we make it hilarious). Each year has a theme, and thanks to something I bought Katie for her Birthday, this year’s theme is 1990 (details to follow). In addition to starting this great holiday tradition, Katie also sent me this card (that played Darth Vader breathing, lightsaber noises, and the Imperial March when I opened it). Thanks to Katie and the rest of my family for always making me laugh, and playing into instead of ignoring my love of the Holy Trilogy. Looking forward to Thursday!
