It is amazing to me how quickly I forget the blessings that I have received and allow myself to become caught up in the minor inconveniences of life. In the past two weeks, I lost heat in my apartment (for 12 days), had a plumbing issue with my shower, and my oven stopped working right as I was about to put in my Thanksgiving desserts. Let's just say that I did not emanate a grateful spirit. It was ironic enough for me to take notice and learn an important lesson.
This Thanksgiving was the first that I spent without any family present. I've not made the trip home for Thanksgiving for several years now, but in previous years some remnant of family traveled to D.C. to spend the holiday here (with exception of last year when we all met up in NYC). I've said many times that I am more appreciative of family since I moved away. I guess Thanksgiving is an appropriate time to remember such a supposition.
Despite not being with family, I thoroughly enjoyed the day with a dear friend and her family. I met Laurie at a Women of Faith conference that we both volunteered at and since that time we've become "marathon coffee buddies." Most people now know that when we're getting together we'll be out of commission for quite some time. If I remember correctly, the shortest visit we've ever had was just shy of three hours and the longest was somewhere close to five. I'm so blessed to have such a great friend! Again, Thanksgiving is a perfectly wonderful time to remember such gifts.Short list of things I'm thankful for:
HEAT!!! (finally restored on Thanksgiving night)
An understanding family (who get that end of the semester assignments interfere with holiday plans)
Care packages from Ashley (isn't she amazing)
Wonderful friends (who open their homes)
Friendly neighbors (who let me cook my desserts in their oven on short notice)
The promise of Christmas spent with family (I can hardly wait!)
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