Thanksgiving

Well, the turkey is gone and I have eaten too much, way too much. I have gained at least 3 pounds of pure, unadulterated fat that has come directly from the massive amount of pie I have consumed. For the record, I do regret every single piece of pie after the first slice of each kind. There were three kinds, though. And I regret the whipped cream too, but just a little bit.

These regrets could almost make a person depressed however, since it is Thanksgiving, instead of thinking of regrets, I am focused on what I am thankful for.

Here is my 2008 list:
I am thankful that I have finally let go of the idea of being glamorous. Now this is not the same as deciding to"let myself go". I have just finally faced the fact that I will never make it onto the cover of Vogue magazine. The silver lining is that by letting go, I am now freed up to focus on the very attainable goal of appreciating myself for what I am.

Secondly I am thankful that my husband and I are still really fond of each other. While being fond of each other seems like a given to those of you who are starry eyed newlyweds, in reality, it is a triumph against nature. It is a triumph to still like each other, when you have spent the last 13 years negotiating everything from whether or not to buy the cheap diapers all the way on up to to how to teach kids about safe sex. And when you have done all these negotiations while listening to endless hours of whining and sibling rivalry, it is a miracle that neither one of us walked out the door to "get milk" and never came back.

Third, I am thankful that both of my children are healthy, at least relatively speaking. Although, they both have their imperfections, some of which I blame on nature and some I blame on nurture (mine), they are healthy.

Now - for the rest of the list:
I am thankful that I can now go to non-animated movies with both of my kids.

I am thankful my kids like rock and roll, well at least one of them does.

I am thankful I can usually see the humor in all the trials and tribulations of the past.

I am thankful I haven't met the seventh grade principle (yet).

I am thankful that most of the calls I get from my kids' school are calls about meetings and volunteering not about one of their latest escapades.

I am thankful that I have decided I am only buying my kids two gifts each, this year.

I am thankful I did not get trampled at the mall.

I am thankful that despite all of the mistakes, I have made as a mother and a family member, I can still look both of my sons straight in their eyes and see the good in them.

Finally, I am thankful that even though our family has been through some rough times, we all still believe in each other.