Every Mother’s Day there’s some discussion of how Jake is going to be ‘really good’. It goes something like: clean up after yourself; don’t give your mother a hard time; do as your told; be sweet; etc. And every Mother’s Day I wonder: why isn’t every day Mother’s Day? Shouldn’t you do those things all the time?
On Thanksgiving every year I wonder something similar. Shouldn’t we be thankful every day for the multitude of blessings in our lives? Why must it take a holiday to get us to stop and list the things in our lives for which we are grateful? And yet, we don’t. Writing about my life helps me to pause and consider my good fortune but it’s still not exactly an organic task.
Of all of the challenges of parenting, by far the most difficult for me is helping Jake to appreciate what he has. It doesn’t help that we live in a very affluent area and that everyone around us seems to have ‘more’. We don’t watch commercials on television (thank you DVR) or listen to commercial radio but the culture of wanting is insipid and creeps into our lives anyway. On some level, I think it’s human nature, and not entirely a bad thing (when it’s used as a motivator to reach higher). And how can I teach my kids not to be so ‘wanty’ if I’m suffering from a case of the wants myself? It’s like pushing the proverbial rock up the proverbial hill.
So even though I wish everyday was Thanksgiving, it’s not. And it certainly is a lovely thing to celebrate—what we do have to give thanks for. And it’s so very easy to do when surrounded by family and friends and such great abundance.
Maybe this year every day will be Thanksgiving. But probably not. In the meantime I’ll offer up my thanks for: children’s imaginations; color; sunshine; the perfect pair of boots; dog kisses and family resemblance.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been working to remind myself lately that I don’t have to HAVE something to appreciate it. There simply are more beautiful things in the world than I can possibly own, more quilts than I can possibly make, more foods than I can possibly taste, more places than I can possibly visit, etc. etc.etc. I can enjoy the ones I do get to experience first hand and then learn how to appreciate the vicarious experiences that come through pictures, stories and window shopping.
Contentment is an art and I’m still an amateur artist.
Yes.
Happy Thanksgiving.
We do indeed have lots to be thankful for everyday. Happy Thanksgiving!
This post is a perfect example of why I love reading your blog. You always have such an eloquent way of writing exactly what I am feeling. The photo of you and Jake is beautiful! Happy Thanksgiving.
Everything you say is so true. I do struggle terribly with the wanties. Must do better this coming year. Though I think I say that every year…And what a wonderful picture–definitely lots of family resemblance! K x
thanks for sharing what is in your mind! Happy Thanksgiving.
Oh, the wanties. We had a very similar thing go on with our oldest – affluent area, and an unwillingness/inability to spend money the way everyone else does. It’s been difficult, but slowly she’s getting it. It ahs been easier with the others – they’re less tuned into the social stuff than she is. Of course, they’re not teenagers yet!
Happy Thanksgiving, friend.
Very true and very beautiful.
Those are pretty good things to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving Amy.
I have been a little too wanty the last couple of months. I have so much to be thankful for but sometimes seem to forget it x
This is beautiful. You said exactly how I feel. Thank you for visiting me and thank you for this post.
So true. It’s hard to stay away from the tide of wanting.
happy american thanksgiving…truly we need to learn about our own "wantingness" in order to help our children wade through too.
You are completely right- every day should be Thanksgiving! But I am thankful for one complete, entire, 24 hour day devoted to gratefulness, too! I hope you had a good one.
Wow, what a great post! You are so right, I wish that everyday we could be deeply reminded of what we are thankful for, and to act as so.
Found your blog from Katy’s, i love it!
Fabulous post, Amy. Happy Thanksgiving, today and yesterday, and everyday indeed.
Happy Belated Thanksgiving Amy. This was, as always, a beautiful and thoughtful post.
I’m working on our wanty-ness, but it’s tough in a society whose economy functions because people buy new things, and therefore has to work very hard to make us dissatisfied with what we already have.
so beautifully said.
I totally agree.
btw- I love your blog, first time visiting, but definitely not the last.