Day of Action of Thanks

by Michele Boy | November 21, 2023

I am sure I just finished typing my last column a few minutes ago. Thanksgiving is in two days and I know November just started. 
It’s that time of the year when days fly by, my checklist gets longer, and I am not prepared for anything!
We are supposed to go to Cheyenne, Wyoming for a sheep show this weekend. We have been looking forward to this for a long time! However there are a number of things that may not make it possible. 
My daughter and I spoke about what weather may preclude us from going, if dad had to stay home, and some other personal issues. I was proud of her understanding what is important in the big picture. We can get caught up in going, and doing that we forget what truly matters. 
Since the newspaper printed early Monday morning and I am typing this days before, I can’t tell you if we go to Cheyenne or not. 
But, I will say Thanksgiving is coming and while I might be disappointed if we don’t go, I am very grateful for our family, good friends, laughter, and sunshine on my face. 
I think I mention this every year but I love the Spanish version of Thanksgiving. Día del acción de gracias. 
Day of action of thanks. 
It reminds me to practice thanks. Many I know will be celebrating the holidays without those they love, cost of food has risen high enough that many are struggling, and maybe you won’t get to be with people you wanted to this year. 
Sometimes thankfulness doesn’t come easy. 
Once upon a time I thought I had nothing to be grateful for. I was sour and jealous of everyone and everything. Someone made me write down five things I was grateful for. I have to admit I couldn’t think of one at the start. 
But I was breathing, sunshine was on my face, I had enough money to eat, a roof over my head, and I was healthy. 
Funny enough, I started to do this nightly. I began seeing more than five things. And to quote the Grinch with a little liberty, “Her heart grew three sizes that day.” 
As I am writing this my family is near me, I have the hope of Cheyenne, and my niece is coming to visit me. I am spending my birthday with people I love and my heart is filled. So what happens if weather turns and they can’t get here, what if things turn out poorly, can I still be grateful? I hope so! 
Happy day of action of thanks. May you find reasons to smile, laugh, and have a heart of gratitude.  Sometimes you have to work for it a little harder than others. And maybe the tears you shed of those who are not there to share the table of food with you means they mattered! And they impacted your life. That is definitely something to be grateful for.