Thanksgiving Part III

 The last day of the Thanksgiving holiday (Sunday) things are quiet and the refrigerator is full of leftovers. The Christmas decorations are being brought down from the attic and set up around the house.  I am grateful my wife has 10 boxes of decorations and not 11.

Last day last Thanksgiving post.  I think back on the 2 previous posts and what it means to me.  How I feel thankful.  What it means to me to be thankful.  What are the benefits of being thankful.  Isn't that it, the benefit, what do I get out of it.  Probably not the best way to look at it.  Would I be more grateful if I had a couple million in the bank?  I do realize I have a lot to be thankful for.  I did lose my job during the pandemic.  I was able to get another one just as my severance ran out.  We do have an emergency fund for another income disruption.  I do hope I don't need it.

There seems to be quite a lot of research on the benefits of gratitude.  A lot of the benefits are not very tangible.  Better sleep, better mental health, better relationships, etc. 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-gratitude

If I count my blessings will I sleep better or have better mental health?  A rosier outlook on life?  I am sure it doesn't happen overnight.  So I now is as good as a time as ever.  What to be thankful for?  

I think back to our last wedding anniversary.  Our 37th.  Amid covid we made the decision to go out to a restaurant and celebrate our anniversary.  With the pandemic you have to take much more care in making plans to eat out.  We made reservations for Saturday August 22nd.  Our actual anniversary is August 20th.  This is not about the wonderful restaurant meal we had.  It is about the meal we had on August 20th.

It was an uneventful meal.  It was green beans and pork chops.  As I sat down to eat the irony of the situation was not lost on me.  After 37 years it's green beans and pork chops.  Really, nothing could be more suburban more average or more boring married couple than pork chops and green beans.  We didn't even have a lemon butter sauce for the green beans.  Then I began to think about the meal.

It was prepared for me with care.  It was hot and nourishing.  Just like it has always been.  Married 37 years that is 444 months.  If we had this meal once a month that is 444 times I have been cared for.  I am sure some these meals were created by me.  So 444 times caring for each other.  With this on my mind I could clearly comprehend the 37 years of green beans and pork chops, meatloaf and broccoli,  chicken breasts and carrots.  

Am I grateful for friends and family of course but I am just as thankful for green beans and pork chops.

Happy Thanksgiving 

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