Thankful
I am in a Prayer Circle. We don't live near each other. In fact, we're in different time zones. We've never met. We're different religions. But we pray for each other. And we write our Grateful Lists. Three things we're grateful for.
Grateful lists are a wonderful way to kick me out of my complacency, or my complaining. No whining. No bitching. Just getting down to realize all the blessings.
Because I have been sick for much of my life with Crohn's disease, life has taught me that on those really bad days . . . remembering the blessings can lift me out of my self-pity or pain.
So, being as it's Thanksgiving week here in America, and I am sure friends and blog-readers are scattering far and wide, I just figured I'd ask people to share their grateful things--writing-related or not.
I have so many, so I'll just post a few:
Grateful lists are a wonderful way to kick me out of my complacency, or my complaining. No whining. No bitching. Just getting down to realize all the blessings.
Because I have been sick for much of my life with Crohn's disease, life has taught me that on those really bad days . . . remembering the blessings can lift me out of my self-pity or pain.
So, being as it's Thanksgiving week here in America, and I am sure friends and blog-readers are scattering far and wide, I just figured I'd ask people to share their grateful things--writing-related or not.
I have so many, so I'll just post a few:
- My four kids. They give me gray hair and keep me running a million miles an hour, but no one makes me smile more than they do.
- My crazy pets. They pretty much do the same as the kids. Run me ragged, but unconditional love back. Or, in the case of the python, a wary detente.
- The fact that I get to make stuff up for a living.
- My health. I am doing amazingly well for the first time in a long while, since I bid adieu to Western medicine and decided to visit Eastern medicine. I can't believe each day I wake up pain-free--it's still a novelty and I hope it never grows old.
- My Prayer Circle.
- My house, food, all those basics. I don't have to worry day to day, hand-to-mouth. I know that isn't so for so many in America, let along worldwide. A man or woman at a minimum-wage job can't feed their family. It may seem sometimes like the bills around here come fast and furious, but I do OK supporting all those mouths in this house.
- My housekeepers. I don't have any childcare help, but if you think I could run this household, write four books a year, raise four kids, etc. without a housekeeper, you're smoking something funny.
- My blog pals--Jude, Lainey, Brian . . . Karmela, Natalie . . . all the regulars and the not-so-regulars who come by, lurk, say hi, whatever.
- My agent. 'Nough said.
- My sisters, soul sisters, friends, pals, parents, everyone who is part of this really boisterous life of mine.
- That I get it's about the journey now.
And you all?
And to all, safe travels, happy hearts, full bellies, love, and most of all . . . PEACE.
posted by Erica Orloff at 8:48 AM
21 Comments:
Good grief...ya just made me cry. And I suck at that, it really REALLY doesn't happen often.
Sister 2, who has many issues, and 2 kids she often doesn't cope with quite as well as she could, just called me bawling b/c kids got sent home from daycare with fevers and she can't afford to miss another day of work etc. I (who seldom goes anywhere on a weekday due to the HBB, had lunch planned with a couple of friends)
I was stomping around spouting language that made my chocolate lab blush, when I figured I'd blog hop for a minute while my hair dried and I waited for the niece and nephew to get dropped off.
Started here (always do) and got the A$$ kick I deserved.
-I am grateful I have a job that allows me the freedom to help out a sibling in need...and for a billion other things I will certainly be making a list off--perhaps in crayon while I entertain sniffly 2&4 yr/o's.
Right this second, I am grateful I have places to pop in, where thoughtful, thought provoking people remind and redirect me when I'm being a selfish bitch.
T'anks
Hey Lainey:
I think, as busy as we all are, there are very few of us who don't sigh and stomp when things like that happen. Life is so insane, and those mini-disasters can seem really big at the time. Don't catch the sniffles, and try to enjoy the little guys.
E
Erica, I loved this too. The part about the housekeeper cracked me up. Everything else made me smile.
I have way too many things to list myself, but I'll tell you, I'm grateful for you. You add so much to my life.
Thank you!
:) d
PS My cousin has Crohn's. That's a rough deal. I'm glad you found a way to control it. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that it doesn't flare up again.
Hi Dana:
Well, it's true! My housekeepers keep this place from becoming unbearable with mess. I can't write in "mess." Clutter, yes, MESS, no.
Thanks, Dana. Love your blog, too. And give a howdy to Mr. P.
xo,
E
P.S. Crohn's does suck. I've had it my whole life, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but it is manageable now and without all the God-awful meds they wanted me on. So knock wood . . .
Lainey a big hug to your sister. I remember having small children and fearing for my job when they got sick, not to mention the extra expense of doctors and medicine.
I'm thankful my kids know how to do dishes and wash clothes LOL
This holiday season my motto is peace, FOR ME. I'm taking the kids to the coast to walk on the beach. I don't know anyone down there. We're staying in a hotel and I'm just thankful that I can. I'm thankful for everything I have, including two pretty darned decent kids =) and like you I'm thankful for the journey. It's been tough, but I"m thankful for having the strength to come as far as I have and I'm thankful for having the chances to teach my children to not take anything for granted, to be thankful also and count their blessings.
1. My job and my DH's job. It's kind of odd that I would be thankful for this, but it's what provides food and puts a roof over our heads. I thank the Good Lord everyday for our jobs.
2. DH. Short story: I was in a really bad place when I met him. Emotionally messed up, financial hardship, lost all faith in God. And then...he arrived. Like a ray of sunshine. He restored my faith in God. Everytime I hear that beautiful lyric from Les Miz, it makes me think of DH:
"To love another person is to see the face of God."
3. My kids. For their happiness, their health, their love. I feel so grateful and honored to be their mom.
4. America. Having lived somewhere NOT in America, I thank the Good Lord everyday for giving me the opportunity to live here. Yesterday, the U.S. Holocaust Museum unveiled a new photo collage of the genocide in Darfur, and it made me shiver.
5. My health/sanity/talents.
::sniff:: Your post made me cry.
Amie:
Enjoy your beach time. I like hunkering down at home with Christmas movies. And watching the Macy's parade of course.
The journey is often hard. But you know, having wonderful people, children, friends to make it with makes it OK.
Peace,
E
karm:
Beautiful list. And you know, I see in my own circle, men who have lost their jobs at mid-life or have been transferred far from their families with little choice to say no because of needing the work. Times are TOUGH, and I hear you on appreciating a job. I am thankful I get to do what I do. That people still buy books and READ!
E
karm:
And a big P.S. on Dafur. It's a humanitarian crisis and utterly devastating.
E
I'm thankful for my son. He's 14 now, and as big as me, but he still lets me hug him when nobody's watching. ;)
I'm thankful that I have enough of everything, and that I live in a country where any dream is possible.
I'm thankful for my physical and mental (most days) health, that I'm able to work and play and do the things I do.
And I'm certainly thankful for my sweet chou-chou. :)
What a special person you are ..to have so much and share "yourself" with everyone.
I have a very close friend who is very spiritual like you..and never forgets to say thank you for all she has...and is generous not only domestically ..but globally.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your wonderful family.
~Sandy
p.s. as an aside...I would remind someone that he owes you a cheesecake!
Nice things to be thankful for :)
I just finished "Trace of Doubt" and for the most part enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more :)
Cracking post, Erica. And the top of my list (like you) is my children (I have two). They have always been, and always will be the most important part of my life, and I can't even begin to express in words how I feel about them.
And I'm grateful for my health, wealth and cleaner (I so relate to you on that one). And to be living in a country like New Zealand. And my friends - from all over the world.... and...... I'll stop now because I feel like I'm making an Oscar speech!!
Hi Jude:
You know, I have a son who's approaching adoloscence, and he's still a teddy bear--and I am very grateful for that. :-)
E
Sandra:
Yes, if you could needle him at Thanksgiving, I would appreciate it. :-)
In terms of giving, I tend to think of myself as part of two cirlces--one inside the other. In the smaller circle, I have my family and friends and the community where I live, worship, etc. And the bigger circle is humanity, and though I am just a drop of water--if that--in that ocean, I still feel like I have to do what I can.
E
Hi Teena:
That book was the second in a trilogy--then the Bombshell line got canceled, so sadly, the storylines will not be tied up neatly.
Glad you enjoyed it.
E
Sara:
You can collect your honorary Oscar here. Go right ahead!
My best friend really, REALLY wants to visit New Zealand. I am afraid to fly--let alone that massive trip, but vicariously, I envy you. I hear it's beautiful beyond belief.
E
Erica,
One drop of water is the beginning of making a dry and barren land flourish..so I have seen..
I don't know if you take your young ones to the movies..but one of the best movies I have seen for children in decades (really) and I see them all with so many grandchildren..is "Happy Feet". It is really about ecology..but with such a happy bent to it.
I loved it, and so did my DATE for the day (grandchild). Gets them to think beyond themselves...asking questions...what can we do.
One of my youngest, collects plastic bottles and cans so this grandchild can purchase a child a gift off of my company Christmas Tree( tree adorned with "tags of youngsters that are in need of a bit of good cheer".
My company sponsers children in need with a gift off of their Christmas list every year....we(associates) choose a tag with a child's name and wish list.
My grandchild wanted to earn "own" money ...and has...and will choose child to sponser. One little tiny drop of water...beginnings of YOUR ocean.
Have a wonderful holiday.
~Sandy
*** Oh..I plan to heckle..really he is trying to figure out how to "send" it. He honest to goodness is a remarkable chef.
He is making the turkey!
Sandy:
I took 3 of my 4 kids to see it. I had NO idea what it was about beyond dancing penguins. Then it took that somewhat dark turn, and I was amazed. My kids loved it. Then we went out for dinner. I am a vegan . . . but the kids aren't, and no one wanted seafood (for anyone who hasn't seen it, it figures into the movie).
Your grandchild sounds marvelous. :-) ENJOY!
Aw, Erica, you made me melt. It was so sweet of you to mention me.
I have so much to be grateful for, I couldn't list it all and listed the things I'm not grateful for in a grateful way, instead (on my blog).
But specific to here, I'm grateful to be developing a friendship with someone who is so different from me, with whom I can enjoy those differences and debate those differences with such respect and appreciation. You definitely give me a new perspective on so many things, and I'm thankful for that.
Hey Natalie:
You made me laugh out loud over on your blog. The woodpile thing? Priceless.
And yeah, I guess that's why I love this blog and the handful I visit. Connections with other people I might not ordinarily make.
:-)
E
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