Things for which I am Thankful, Days 6 and 7

In the process of transitioning from Tumblr to Wordpress, I neglected to close out my weeks worth of posts on things for which I am thankful. I came up empty on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I thought I’d backdate a couple of entries for that purpose.

Mom had the table all set from the start. Though we were missing two in Chicago, it was nice to have substantially all the family around the table for Turkey Day.

CLICK THROUGH FOR THE LAST TWO THINGS FOR WHICH I AM THANKFUL

As of Day Six, Tuesday, November 24, 2009:

Good health.

These days, it’s hard for me to avoid the good health issue. Sure, my body sometimes feels like it’s breaking down (what with the arthritic trick left elbow that doesn’t actually perform any tricks, the broken index toe and the seemingly always cranky neck born of sitting too long at my desk), but I’ve come a long way in about nine and one half months. Tuesday January 13 was the last time I enjoyed a cigarette. Yes, I had one drag off a cig while drunk about six weeks ago, but a good friend reminded my lushness that homey don’t play that no more. Almost a year later, I feel fantastic. I’m athletic again, my lungs are clear, my clothes and apartment no longer smell and my skin is no longer ashen and zombiesque. In addition, in the last 5 months I’ve really started working my way back into shape. I started going to the gym 4 times a week in February and March, but that cooled until July. Now, it’s rare if I don’t hit the gym 5 to 6 times a week and I get in very good workouts. I’m seeing it with a tighter waistline, more definition and generally looking better. So while it’s not healing my trick elbow and it may be responsible for my toe and neck getting worse, I am thankful for having my health. As of Day Seven, Wednesday, November 25, 2009:

Good family.

Although my brother and sister-in-law were visiting her Dad in Chicago, I was blessed to be around my wonderful Father, Mother and Sister. All three have given me so much in my life and put up with my need to dominate the conversation, my insomnia, my leaning on them for menial tasks like shopping, and not always being as good a son or brother as I could be. This has been a great few years for my family, with my brother getting the largest scholarship grant every for his Executive MBA program and my sister following in my footsteps at law school, but as my dad winds toward retirement and my parents get older in general, I’m struck by how fortunate I’ve been to have them. I was also fortunate in that we were joined by my best friend, his wife and his parents for Turkey Day. They are like a second family to me and are incredibly close with my family. I feel like each of them would always do anything for me and I for them. Not all family need be nuclear or even blood, I suppose. Most of all, I’m thankful that my family, both close and extended are all generally blessed with the same health that I have been granted. Though after my Mom did her damage with the cholesterol laced stuffing, I’m not sure that’s going to hold up.

Mom’s dill peas more than make up for the fact that I’m not a huge fan of yams or cranberrys. One’s too sweet and one’s too tart. But Dill? It’s always spot on.

The southern style cornbread stuffing had yet to arrive, but the mashed potatoes and Greek stuffing (with minced beef and pine nuts) were both mouth wateringly good.

All in all, a fantastic time was had by all and there was even a bit left on the 23 lbs. bird for me to scarf down today.

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