This morning I made a dash through the rain to the supermarket, Olivia in tow, for some last-minute Thanksgiving items. As I was hefting the grocery bags into the trunk and lifting Olivia out of the cart I heard a voice behind me saying "Happy Thanksgiving!"
I swiveled around to reply "Happy Thanksgiving" and saw a woman, somewhat serious expression on her face, standing by my elbow. She handed me a $20 bill then curtly said "God Bless You" and quickly marched into the store we'd just left.
Which made me wonder "Do I look indigent?" Apparently that's what driving a Corolla in South Park does for you, gets you the sympathy of strangers.
My Mom cooked all day and baked two pies for today's dinner. Aaron worked a 13 hour shift before dinner; we were fortunate to have him at the table at all. Everybody is healthy, we have a roof over our head, more than enough for thanks.
A few days ago I flew to NYC to see a reading of one of my Dad's plays. Much of the immediate family came in to the city as well to be in the audience. Also in attendance were two friends I hadn't seen in something like 20 years. One had survived cancer himself only to lose a son to it a short time later. The other has made a really nice life for herself and seems have it all. I was at a loss of how to sum up where things were at for me, how to cover 20 years in a few minutes.
Yet, with both, it didn't matter what I have been up to, only that I was there. Like with family we all just wanted to know that the other was intact and happy in some way. It was lovely and restorative to see my friends, my family, and remember that sometimes all it takes to find gratitude is showing up.
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