Being Thankful for the Little Things
As we enter into the Thanksgiving holiday I think it is important to think about all of the things that we have in our lives for which we are thankful. You know aside from the obvious ones, friends, family, health…. What are the things make my life better on a daily basis.
Antibiotics. Every time one of my kids is sick I wonder what it was like to live in a world pre-antibiotics. A world where entire families would be wiped out by a single illness. I can’t even imagine.
Coffee the nectar of the Gods.
Nyquil, the other nectar.
Hand sanitizer that hangs from a little cord in my purse. I am not sure which one of these I am more thankful for, the cord thing that some brilliant fellow-germaphobe invented or the sanitizer itself.
Modern dentistry. I know without it I would be mostly toothless. And judging my the number of people I know who have had root canals or knocked their front teeth out, I would not be alone in my toothless state. We are a more attractive world for having modern dentistry.
Related to the above: anesthesia.
The epidural.
All the modern appliances. Every single one. I will say emphatically that I would not have been a good frontier woman. At all. My idea of roughing it is a 4 star hotel. I come from a long line of women who don’t like to sweat. I am not even sure how my family made it over to America since we are not the adventurous type.
The Internet. I think it has made me a better mother. Opened up a world of friends that I would not have otherwise known. Not to mention shopping from home. I just wish Al Gore had invented these tubes sooner.
Zappos. My most favorite store on the Internet. They sealed the deal with my undying love when one of their customer service people made my daughter a birthday card and mailed it to her. This was after I had mentioned in passing that it was her birthday. Also, who doesn’t love free shipping and free returm shipping. And no, they do not compensate me for saying this. but they could if they wanted to. hello my name is Chris and I am a shoe whore.
Fireplace. I am not sure that there is a more peaceful way to end the day than sitting around a fire. And since we can’t have a bonfire in our yard every night, a fireplace is a good second. (My son sitting next to me, reading over my shoulder just asked, “But why? Why can’t we have a bonfire every night?” See above about my love for modern appliances.)
Good pedicures. It is my firm belief that my everyone’s feet would look better with a little tlc. Sandal wearing women, please take note.
Eyebrow threading.
Gluten free cinnamon rice chex. I eat them right out of the box like it is a snack food because I am not a big fan of the cereal with milk combination.
Band-aids. Without them what would I offer my kids for every imaginary bump and bruise that they endure. Oh, and I suppose theya re rather handy for their intended purpose of keeping wounds clean and protected while they heal.
Mascara that doesn’t clump.
Control top ANYTHING that gives me the illusion of looking more trim. I think that occurs because of the lack of blood flowing to the brain while wearing it.
So tell me, what are you thankful for this season? After the family, friends, kids, etc. What are the little things that bring joy to your life?
About the author
I am thankful for Brazilian wax. Thank you obsessed culture that hates body hair.
My sweatpants and pajamas pants
Also headbands, ponytail holders and bobby pins
My breast pump
Body spray
My I-finally-found-one-that-doesn’t-break-down pillow
Coffee
VPN on my laptop so I can work from home
Spanx, McDonald’s Mochas on every corner and tylenol PM.
Frozen fruit – because my need for strawberries doesn’t go away when the season ends.
Indoor plumbing!!! And indoor heat. And, if only I could afford the import, heated Japanese toilet seats. Heheh. Oh, and air travel so I can rather conveniently see my far flung friends and family.
$1 fountain diet coke at McDonald’s. Not sure why, but I like the fountain version better than bottles or cans.
All the creature comforts that we don’t notice until they are gone.
Like you said….aside from the obvious things (family, health, friends, etc)……
I was thinking this morning that I’m thankful for the hot water heater we put in when we moved into our house to replace the outdated ‘tankless system’. My guests and I can all take nice hot showers without concern // Thankful as heck for the invention of Smartwool socks (you may have had some when you lived in the Northeast like me)….but totally devastated that I’ve had to throw away three pair in the last week from holes. // Thankful for all of the info on photography on the internet and all of the people generous enough to share their brains, insights and secrets in that area // Thankful for people who make me laugh!
I’ve definitely been noticing how thankful I am for a warm home, especially during the blizzard this past week and now with the single digit temps! I’m also thankful for a driving teenager who took her brothers to the $1 movie this afternoon.
In our frigid house, every night when I slide into my (if I remembered to turn it on) pre-heated bed, I practically fall to my knees to worship whoever invented electric blankets!
Vaccines (to go along with your antibiotics vote), and women being able to wear pants. I would not have survived frontier life for a variety of other reasons, but having to do it all in a dress would surely have done me in.
Electricity. I have lived in the Sahara desert, where I was soooo grateful for fans and the occasional AC. Now I live in Oregon, where I am soooo grateful for heat and light and hot showers on cold mornings.
Coffee. And red wine. And good micro-brewed beer. And Mexican food. And the internet. And libraries.
Midol
wine
86% cacao Chocolate bars
my Nikon d90
my iPhone
my bidet – ours is a heated toilet seat that sprays warm water at the appropriate places. lovely, particularly if I’m on my period. (during my period, I am also very grateful for my diaphragm, which I use as a menstrual cup. It’s wonderful.)
the internet, and gmail in particular
american eagle jeans
nonstick cookware
Spike your juice (spikeyourjuice.com – well worth checking out)
my camera
milk