When I first started thinking about a Thanksgiving Day post a few weeks ago, my first thought was that I don’t feel particularly thankful this year.
This has been a year which has included the loss of my job, the recent loss of my grandmother (which I’ve not yet written about because I’m not quite sure how) and other setbacks which have darkened more calender boxes than I’d care to count.
This year has humbled me and at times broken me.
But at times, this year has been wonderful. I’ve discovered joy in an area I once took for granted – my family.
I’ve enjoyed the pleasures of watching my son first stand up by himself (On Valentine’s Day), take his first steps – a few weeks later, and say his first word, “baaawl” (in the cutest Southern drawl – despite nobody in this house having a Southern accent) this spring. I’ve watched the smile on his face when he first sees me on any given day. I’ve watched his big blue eyes light up as he ‘reads’ his favorite books or when he learns something new – such as how two plastic connector toys connect and disconnect. I’ve watched him dance to Jack’s Big Music Show. I’ve watched him learn to throw a ball remarkably well, march (though nobody taught him how to do it) and most recently, learn to jump.
I know this list will likely come as a big surprise to my wife because to be quite honest, I’ve not expressed gratitude much in recent months. In fact, I’ve been pretty irritable and hard to live with. I haven’t been wallowing in self pity or anything. For the most part, I’ve buried my depression and disappointment because I can’t find a healthy outlet for either emotion. But I have been irritable and short tempered. No, I’m not abusive in any way whatsoever, I’m just been on edge a lot more than normal. So with my thank you’s, an apology.
Thank you to:
- My wife for being the most loving, patient, sweetest and giving person I’ve ever known
- My son for reminding me of what is truly important (and for being so happy)
- My parents for moving closer where they can watch my son grow up
- My mother-in-law for helping us in countless ways
- My brother for inspiring me to lose weight by doing it himself
- Friends and family of my wife who have helped us following my job loss
- Lisa for always being there and also believing in me
- Jason and Christian for having my back and for believing in me
- My newest friend and collaborator, Sean, who has inspired me in many ways
And of course, thank you readers (both casual and ones I’ve gotten to know) who have been kind enough to share your time with me on a regular basis. And thanks to everyone who is understanding enough of my schedule to continue commenting here even though I return the favor far less than I would like to. I truly appreciate it.
And just so this whole post isn’t a complete downer, I leave you with a laugh.
Happy Thanksgiving,
David
I’m taking Friday off here, so I’ll see you all on Monday. You can catch me today and Friday over at BlogToFit though along with good friends, Dave and Tara, who I’d also like to thank for their support and friendships.
Want BloggerDad delivered to your email every time I post? Well, you’re not alone. Join the literally tens of others who have already subscribed for free! Email not your thing? That’s okay, you can also subscribe via RSS – It’s also free.
Hey BD, I’m really sorry to hear you have been in a dark place.
But do you know what? I looked at that photo of your son at the top of the page before reading and he is SO ADORABLE and then I read it and felt sad and then I looked at the pix again and thought ‘you made that BD. You made that’ and if that doesn’t lift your mood every time you see him then you need to look again!
I’m also wondering does he copy his daddy by eating in the nude? . . .
Taras last blog post..Oh baby. Looks like I’m not the world’s worst parent after all
A downer post? Not even close BD. It brought a smile to my face (no I wasn’t laughing at you). I could feel the emotion you were feeling as your words sprawled across the screen. I feel “that” too quite often. Then I saw those things that you are thankful for and it reminded me that no matter the darkest of our days, there is a part of us humans that looks for the good in everything. You found it, and I could almost sense a feeling of relief once you had finished your list.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
(frequent reader, infrequent commenter)
Scott
Scotts last blog post..Project: Seven Things I’m Thankful For
A beautiful list of gratitudes! And your son is gorgeous!
I had never heard of Black Friday until this week. I never knew that the American Thanksgiving is associated with a massive shopping spree. Our Canadian Thanksgiving is in October, and other than food supplies, it is the one Canadian holiday that is blessedly free of materialism.
Urban Panthers last blog post..Granddaughter Week
While we neither have thanksgiving nor black friday in Spain, the comic is still great
and maybe prophetic
Lol! I agree with you Urban Panther.
And the Canadian Thanksgiving in October is always found on a Monday, which gives us a nice long weekend with family and friends. 
I wish our American friends a Happy Thanksgiving and don’t forget to keep us a slice of pumpkin pie…yuuummmmmm……
Rosie : )s last blog post..Free Realms
Happy Thanksgiving BD!
Even though you’ve gone through a rough time, the things that matter most in life (family and friends) are there for you. I’ve been following your blog for a few weeks now and from what I’ve seen and read of Blogger Dad, I’m confident that soon your worries will be over as you make your way out of them and become successful.
This time next year, Dave, you’ll be singing from a different summit. I am most thankful for you as well. That picture of E is just adorable. Does he know how cute he is?
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Writer Dads last blog post..Happy Thanksgiving!
I say buy nothing to day so you can buy more tomorrow. It is kind of like not buying gas from a gas station because the gas prices are too high but still driving just as much.
Orlunds last blog post..Everyone In The Coffee Shop Stares At Us.
Happy Thanksgiving to your and yours too, sugar!!
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Kyddryns last blog post..Thanksgiving
Dave, that was a nice piece of writing…honest and from the heart.
You might as well post E’s name, you know. You’re here to stay and we’re all going to watch him grow up.:)
Happy Thanksgiving, buddy. Things will get better.
what moving words. your son sure will help you smile through the darker times. that’s the blessing that is being a parent. He is adorable. chin up.
Mom/Mums last blog post..Turkey-tastic!
I’m back. Thanks for all the nice comments! Here are the responses – if anyone is still checking 4 days later…
Tara – Thanks. And he doesn’t eat in the nude. Just in diapers – so he doesn’t destroy his clothes. And yes, I eat in my diapers, also.
Scott – Thanks for the nice words!
Urban Panther – Thank you. And a holiday NOT associated with consumerism? Surely you jest! Speaking of Canada, I understand that you all have holidays nearly every week of the year!
Miguel – Thank you. And no black Friday in Spain? You do have something similar, though, I believe you call it the Running of the Bulls.
Rosie – Oh yeah, well we make it a four day holiday! Many people get Thursday AND Friday off! Even more time to shop.
Samar – Thanks for stopping by and posting. I appreciate the nice words. I hope you’re right!
Writer Dad – Thanks. The way he smiles, I think he knows how cute he is. My niece, on the other hand, will TELL you how cute she is. Kids are so honest!
Orlund – LOL.
Kyddryn – Thank you!
B J – Thanks. As for E, I’ll keep him somewhat anonymous to spare him as he gets older.
Mom/Mum – thank you.
Blogger Dads last blog post..NO!