Giving Thanks

[zyzyly]

I am the cook today. Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, yams, green beans, mushrooms, rolls and a couple of pies. I feel ok as long as I keep busy, and this menu will keep me busy for a while. And cooking always relaxes me--preparing a big meal for lots of people is the best therapy I know.

Things are quiet right now. The only noise is the ticking of the clock. I feel at peace for the moment.

There are so many things I give thanks for this year. To be given the time I had with Arlina, to really come to understand what marriage is about, to know that I was truly loved, and that I did truly love. That she is at peace.

I am thankful for the people who have surrounded us with love. Family, friends who I would have never expected, my friends at LJ. If you give thanks for anything this year, give thanks for the people in your life--they may one day become the very thing that keeps you going.

I am thankful for all my nieces and nephews--who can still bring joy into this house. My littlest niece, hunny bunny, was born the day after Arlina was diagnosed. She started calling me "Ma-mik", which we think means "uncle mike". Her little smile just lights up my heart.

At one of the worst moments of my life up until now, I watched my grandfather as he puttered around in his garden, tending to his flowers. At the time, I just felt that my life was over, and all I could see was pain. He hadn't spoken to me all day.

It was about sunset. I watched him as he picked one of the flowers and turned the stem between his fingers, considering it from all sides. He looked at me, and said, "Life is so beautiful".

And he was right. Life is beautiful. And I give thanks for it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Comments

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Mike, you've taught others what marriage and faith are about.

Thank you so much.

[parisgarters.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, my Dad's dial-up won't let me see your picture, but I'm sure it's beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving, Mike.

[blakeh.livejournal.com]

That's a beautiful photo. Flower photography can sometimes be so cliche but you have a real eye for the unique. Wonderful composition!

I am thankful for a great many thnigs this year, and finding your journal is at the top of the list.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_riomaggiore/]

grazie for your words. the precious moment of the now with the hope of eternal consequences craft the soul that belongs to each of us. may peace be upon you, always as you keep walking through the valley of the shadow...knowing you are NEVER alone and ALWAYS unconditionally loved.

[waypasttense.livejournal.com]

Reading your LJ has been one of the important things that puts my life in perspective. When my whole world seems to boil down to work and failure and work and work and failure, I read your journal and I watch my husband sleep and I hug my daughter and I know there really is more to life than work and failure.

[serratia.livejournal.com]

Thanks for everything, my dear!

Enjoy your holiday with great food and even better company :)

*lots of love*

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

Yes, life is beautiful, indeed. And yes, cooking is good therapy. It's almost meditative. Measuring the right ingredients, kneeding if necessary, savoring the odors.

I'm glad to hear you are at peace currently. Have a wonderful day of feast preparations and dining. :-)

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

>>It was about sunset. I watched him as he picked one of the flowers and turned the stem between his fingers, considering it from all sides. He looked at me, and said, "Life is so beautiful".

thank you for this. it's something i need to work to remember sometimes.

[waning-estrogen.livejournal.com]

hold them all close today

[poetdan.livejournal.com]

There is so much color...

[morgainers.livejournal.com]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[sly-redux.livejournal.com]

"The kitchen. La cucina, the true mother country, this warm cave of the good witch deep in the desolate land of lonliness, with pots of sweet potions bubbling over the fire, a cavern of majic herbs, rosemary and thyme and sage and oregano, balm of lotus that brought sanity to lunatics, peace to the troubled, joy to the joyless, this small twenty-by-twenty world, the altar a kitchen range, the magic circle a checkered tablecloth where the children fed, the old children, lured back to their beginnings, the taste of monther's milk still haunting thier memories, fragrance in the notstrils, eyes brightening, the wicked world receding as the old mother witch sheltered her brood from the wolves outside"

- John Fante

You do understand. Abbondanza, my friend.

[pasticcio.livejournal.com]

Happy Thanksgiving, Mike.
Thank you for sharing yourself with me.
I'll always be thankful for that..

Even though I'm not officially celebrating Thanksgiving today because we Canadians celebrate it properly... in October, I'm still celebrating with you in spirit. I'm gonna have a turkey sandwich in your honour :)

[kappuchino.livejournal.com]

Happy Thanksgiving. :)

Though it feels funny to say that in November...

[firestartermsu.livejournal.com]

It is beautiful, isn't it? ... and so are your words. As always, you amaze me by your strength.

Happy turkey day!

[fried-pearl.livejournal.com]

Thank you for showing us what it truly important in life. Your journal has been inspirational to so many people. Have a happy Thanksgiving! Blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving

[kimmylovesbobby.livejournal.com]

In the short time I've been reading you ... You have become my hero. I look up to you. After losing my Mother last Feb. things just haven't been the same for me. Every time I read a post by you it inspires me. I'm learning so much from you. I hope to emulate your grace, faith, inner peace and acceptance. I know Arlina must be smiling down upon you. Thank you. You'll never know how much you have helped me and God bless.

[zhenzhi.livejournal.com]

happy thanksgiving to you! dinner sounds positively delicious!
:-) xoxo

[journeyto.livejournal.com]

I'm a new reader. You are beautiful.

[franciscan.livejournal.com]

An extraordinary picture... beautiful...

[chinchona.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to see your pictures again. This one is exceptionally lovely. Thinking about you.

[purple7luv.livejournal.com]

you are a gift. thank you.
so glad you are surrounded by love.
:)