TEXARKANA MONTHLY
ability to feel less guilt about the calories soon to be consumed. They were thrilling endeavors but running also meant getting up early on a holiday and then returning to shower after the ENTIRE family had already done so. The hot water was as meager as my 9-minute mile running pace earlier that morning. So last year we slept in (not much though, because I wanted a completely hot shower). It was so nice. A slower pace to start the day wasn’t half bad. I’m not saying we will never “trot” again, but we are ok not doing it for now. And then there are those traditions that need to be, or have recently, started. I realize this on a more personal level as our son, Jack, is getting older. While Ross and I are still carrying on the traditions of our childhoods, and we don’t really want to give those up because we really love sharing them with Jack, we have no new ones started for him. We have made some efforts to eradicate the situation of only old traditions. For instance, we have started trying to have a short vacation at
the beginning of the Thanksgiving school holiday (P.S. Shout out to whichever school dignitary elected to change the school calendar from a two-day holiday at Thanksgiving to a whole week. Mad props to you!). This has proven to be a really sweet time to make memories for our family of three before we descend upon all the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. 3. Whatever you do, always, always, always find something to laugh about. There is nothing more therapeutic than a hearty laugh with people you love. Those moments when the cousins remember that crazy time you pranked the grown-ups at Christmas. Or everyone goofs on the person who claimed to make a pie from scratch for this year’s meal but is exposed at the hand of a Walmart price tag on the bottom of the pie plate. These times are the best. They’re the ones we always like to recall. Even if your holiday looks different this year because of unforeseen circumstances, or if
you are having a rough go of it, try to find something to laugh about with those who know you the best. 4. BE THANKFUL. Now, I understand that Thanksgiving 2020 is giving us all a run for our money in the gratitude distribution department, but there is always something to be thankful for. The Lord has blessed me beyond measure with salvation, a loving family, sustained health, fabulous ride- or-die friends, a thriving church family, etc… I could fill an encyclopedia with my blessings, but even if you can only think of one thing to be thankful for, be thankful for that one thing. More than likely, once you say thanks for that one, you will find that ten more things will pop into your mind and fill your heart with gratitude. Take or leave these little tidbits as you will. They work for me and I can’t wait to put them into practice on the 26th! Happy Thanksgiving!
29
COMMUNITY & CULTURE
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs