It’s a strange thing to offer thanks in April’s absence, but being thankful is such great medicine for being sad.
On this Thanksgiving weekend, I could try to justify feeling sad, angry and missing April terribly, or I could try to convince you that I’m just peachy – write up some mumbo jumbo about how happy I really am. But the truth is, I’m sad, angry, lonely, grateful, happy, and amazed by life – all at once. I could try to go back and forth between the two and come up with some conclusion in 500 words or less, but instead, I’ve decided simply to make a list of things that I’m thankful for.
Here goes:
- Family
- Friends
- Every moment I had with April
- The lovely Daisy May
- Music
- Art
- The ocean (I’m sitting just a few dozen yards from the Atlantic as I write this)
- A clear night sky
- Clouds
- A nice breeze
- Creativity
- Pain that makes you appreciate pleasure all the more
- Funny movies
- Lost (the TV show – I’m totally addicted)
- Doctors
- Good professionals of all sorts
- Air travel
- Places I haven’t been
- Good food
- Good cooks
- Comfortable furniture
- Gadgets
- The Internet
- My computer
- Sharing this blog with you
- Trying new things
- Getting better at things that are old hat
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Nice clothes
- Comfortable clothes
- Playing with my nephews
- Playing in general
- Grass
- The seasons
- East Tennessee, and South Knoxville in particular
- My neighbors
- Rainy afternoons
- Mountains
- Opportunities
- Entrepreneurship
- YouTube, Google Wave, and other cool websites
- Emerging science and technology
- Higher education
- Sunshine
- Love
- Fast computers
- Muscle cars
- Good books
- Libraries
- Living in the USA
- Funny stories and jokes
- Laughing
- A good adrenaline rush
- Being quiet
- Interesting new people
- Conversation
- Hope
- Joy
- Optimism
- Truth
- Justice
- Holidays
- Doing for others
- Receiving gifts
- Surprises of all kinds
- Waking up feeling good
- Architecture
- The conquest of business
- Texas Hold ‘em
- All those who I loved and have past
- Soft kisses
- Completing projects
- Starting anew
- Dreaming big
- Noodling
- Forgetting how to be unhappy
- A good cry when no one is around
- Wonder at the achievement of others
- Philosophy
- Trains going by
- Small kindnesses
- Soft light
- Naps
- A good night’s sleep
- Being able to say ‘no’ when I know that I should do just that
- Saying ‘yes’ to everything that’s good
- Holy places
- Feeling God around me
- Seeing the World getting better in so many ways
- Knowing that one day, cancer will be a thing of the past.
I could go on, but I’m feeling warm and fuzzy, and ready for dreams and that good night’s sleep. I’m so very grateful for you.
Love,
Mac
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Okay, what is noodling?
What, you’ve never noodled?
It’s used in different contexts, but I’m referring to sitting with a guitar in my hands and just playing whatever comes to mind. It’s great for the nerves!
Well, I thought I might have noodled, but we do not appear to have the same definition. I was just making sure.
Yeah, noodling is a great word for any kind of goofing off. So I guess I’ve been a noodler since way back before I played guitar!
Mac, your Thanksgiving essay just might possibly be the most beautiful devotional that I have ever read. I love your list and am grateful to you for sharing it with us. As I read it, I could see you in my mind’s eye sitting on or near the porch of your parents’ condo watching and listening to the relentless pounding of the waves. We continue to hold you in our thoughts, hearts, and prayers. You teach us so much through your writing. Thank you. I send you a loving hug. Anne
Great list
Thank you for writing “Thanksgiving”. It touched me when I first read it and perhaps moreso this evening when I read it again. You are a special man, and we are very proud of you, and love you very much.
Mom