Gratefulness

It’s been a weird fall. There were days that have been very hard, such as the first day I saw my mom on a respirator in ICU. Or, the day we had to fly emergently to New York because she was in ICU. The day she was admitted to a nursing home, and then, the day she came home. I am grateful for all the medical, nursing, and ancillary staff that cared for her throughout her stay.

Because of my mom’s illness, I reconnected with my Godmother, who is my mom’s cousin. It was good to talk to her. I wish it had been better circumstances. But, I realized that I was actually the glue for my extended family, keeping both of my mom’s first cousins informed of her hospital course. The glue made me feel good and useful like I had done something worthwhile.

We had a driveway put in that was not done well, and had to be redone more than once. We had to “fire” a contractor. Still, it got done by a new, more reputable company, and looks like this time it will be sustainable. We realized that we “know” people – good people – actually, great people, who helped us out when we really needed it. Grateful.

We had to wait six months for a new cement pad in front of our existing house, but it got done. The crew was nice and the job was completed very professionally. Now, we “know” a cement guy that we can call on for future jobs. The connection was ours and it was a good one.

I had a poem published and also had others rejected. Still, I am grateful there are those that put out a public call for the work of others.

We had a beautiful fall trip to visit four National Parks in the southwest – Arches, Grand Canyon, Saguaro, and Petrified Forest were all enjoyed for their natural beauty and serenity. We were grateful to travel once again.

My boys, ahem, I mean young men are all coming home for Thanksgiving. While I’ve never been one to make a big deal about “firsts” like some – you know, the first day of school, the first day of college, moving out, empty nesting, etc… I can say that I have been in a state of missing my boys this fall. It’s been an odd fall and our usual visits, birthday celebrations, and getting together with them has been less than optimal and less than normal for us. I am so very grateful they all want to come home for the holiday. I miss them all.

COVID has been on our mind with taking travel precautions, the resurgence of cases, and the need to mask again in certain locales. The virus actually came close to home over the last fortnight but tests keep coming back negative. So, we’re trusting the science that it is something else that is bothering a loved one. We are grateful for the science, the scientists, the physicians, and pharmacists who are all working to improve the country’s health. I am grateful I left nursing 24 years ago. I cannot imagine being a nurse today but thank those who are.

I am grateful for the writing communities to which I belong, namely Slice of Life and Poetry Friday. I feel welcomed and valued in both communities and if it were not for the lovely participants who comment on my blog often, I might not have grown as a writer this year.

My gratefulness extends to those I call friends….while, I don’t have a lot of close friends, I know who they are. They keep me going and I hope I do the same for them.

So, as we look forward to Thanksgiving later this week in the U.S., look for those things you are thankful for, and give thanks.

Today is Slice of Life Tuesday. This weekly forum is hosted by TwoWritingTeachers.orghttps://twowritingteachers.org/.

Thank you to them for creating and hosting this welcoming and supportive group.