Friday Love Life

Thanksgiving was yesterday, as any American worth their salt will know. Thanksgiving never was too high on my list of really really enjoyable holidays as a kid – it was sort of the boring version of the Christmas gathering of my extended family, but now I understand why thanksgiving is so important. I sat at the kid’s table with the cousins I only saw twice a year, ripping the paper tablecloth to shreds as we struggled to find something to talk about. Thanksgiving is awesome now, and here is why:

First, I get a break from school! School doesn’t give you any breaks any more. We get spring break, and thanksgiving break, and that is it! Gone are the days of teacher conferences, legal holidays that actually count, and half day releases. Instead, college students get two days off for thanksgiving, and a week off for spring break. I got to sleep in yesterday, I don’t have classes (and I’ve given myself a break from homework today, too!) and my mind doesn’t really have to work too hard. It’s bliss!

Second, I get to see my family. I was just complaining about thanksgiving with my family a paragraph or two above, but I was complaining about my extended family, not my real family. I always love seeing my family and since my sister and brother moved away I haven’t seen nearly as much of them as I would like. It was lovely to talk to them again!

Third, this holiday reminds me to be happy with what I have. Joyful simplicity, art out of every day, loveliness and kindness abound on this holiday. It’s an absurd American tradition to give thanks for what we have on the Thursday, and then spend it all on that Friday, but I refuse to do that! Instead, my Friday is going to be spent with a loved one who I am having over for dinner.

As I counted my blessings yesterday (and they are many!) I again was reminded of the grace of God’s. It is lovely to be reminded about everything that is right in my world.