Thanksgiving Week!?

Wow, is it already Thanksgiving week?!  I feel like the last year has gone so quickly, and I cannot fathom the fact that in a few days, we will be stuffing our faces, watching the Macy's parade and traveling up to Maine. When I was younger, my mom always told me that the older I got, the quicker time would pass.  As she would speak these words to me, I seriously did not believe her.  I mean, after all, when you're a child waiting for Santa, your birthday, summer and so on, the days pass so slowly.  I now see and completely understand what she meant.

This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for so many things.  I try to be thankful and grateful all year, but let's be honest - Thanksgiving is when people really share their thanks.  The first thing I am thankful for is my family, friends and my amazing fiance.  I am so lucky to have so many helpful, loving and supportive people in my life.  I cannot think of one person in my life who is not great.  I have certainly been blessed with great family members, wonderful friends, and an extraordinary fiance.  I got too lucky.

The second thing I am thankful for is my health.  Two years ago, I found out I have a hole in my heart.  Currently, the only two side effects of this condition is the fact that I get migraines and I have difficulty breathing, as the hole does not properly regulate the blood to my lungs.  Yes, the hole can have effects in the long run, but as for now, I am pretty happy and satisfied with the fact that this is my only medical concern.  Recently I have heard of people my age getting cancer and other diseases, so I count my blessings that I am in good health.  In addition to myself, the people who I love and care about are generally healthy as well.

Third, I am grateful for the education I am able to receive.  I am so lucky that I have the education that I do, and I appreciate all the schools I have attended and the teachers who have taught me.  I have enjoyed school from preschool until now, my final few classes as a graduate student.  Not everybody can say that they have had the chance to pursue their dreams through school and education, so I count my blessings every time I step foot into a classroom.

Enough about me.  Last week and this week, I have been talking to my kids about what they are thankful for.  I actually heard some pretty deep answers, not just "Facebook" or "My iPhone".  Many said they were thankful for their safety, freedom, education, family, nature and food.  

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving all!  Enjoy your food, football games and parades.  Remember to let everyone important to you know how special they are!

Memory Lane

At Ginggy's funeral yesterday, Pat's uncle, her grandson, gave a remarkable speech in her honor.  There was not a dry eye in the place, and he certainly portrayed the wonderful woman that she was. During his speech, John talked about how everything was the best to Ginggy.  If she went to a restaurant, it was the best.  If she saw a new movie, it was the best.  If she had a coffee from the gas station, it was the best.  Like John pointed out, that's quite a way to live - always having the best of something everyday.  Who else in the world can say that they have the best thing of something everyday of the week?  Who else can say that they enjoy something remarkable everyday of their lives?  Nobody.  She had a ridiculously amazing outlook on everything in life, and for that she will always be remembered.

To keep up with the humor of his speech, John reminisced about how caring Gram, or Ginggy, was.  She would do anything for anyone, even a homeless man or woman.  A few months ago, Ginggy's neighbors saw her pick up a random man who asked her for a ride in her driveway.  Being Ginggy, she immediately said yes without hesitation.  When the neighbors noticed this, they called the police to let them know a 90-year-old woman was in a car with a complete stranger.  When the police pulled Gram over, she looked at them and said, "What did I do NOW?!", with her typical feisty attitude.  The cops escorted the man to the local shelter and warned Gram about the dangers of picking up strangers.  Of course Ginggy said they were ridiculous.

I was going to talk at Ginggy's funeral but I decided against it.  I was too nervous and figured I would make a fool of myself my crying hysterically.  If I were to speak, I would tell the audience about the time Pat, Ginggy, his sister and I went to a concert.  A group of people in their late teens or early twenties spotted Gram and said, "AW!" because she was just that cute.  One of the guys reached out for a high five and Gram slapped him one right back.  She certainly was a lively one.

I do not remember if I have posted this before, but my engagement ring once belonged to Ginggy.  Whenever I look down at my left hand, I have a reminder of her presence.  I feel extremely blessed and honored to have her with me at all times.  Although it will be difficult to look at her ring everyday, I cherish it, as I do her memory.

I can't say it enough, but I love you Gram <3.  Rest in peace, we'll see you in the Maine snow fall, the passing breezes and the shining sun.