49: Thanksgiving

At about 6:30 pm every Thanksgiving, I look down at my plate and wonder what just happened. In an instant, the food and subsequently the oxygen disappears from the room. I find myself sitting at the table with the people that I love feeling extremely full and even more fulfilled.

Following Jordan’s Thanksgiving masterpiece of a dinner, and just as the Cowboys’ season fell apart, the Bonder crew went around for our annual tradition of saying what we’re thankful for. Nothing we say is all that groundbreaking or unpredictable. In fact, it’s all stuff that’s recognized and goes without saying all year. But there is something powerful about actually stopping and saying the stuff that we all appreciate about each other. Regardless of the ups and downs that we experience throughout the year, the things we appreciate seem to always be the same basic things. And they never get old.

Between the time spent with the Janiec cousins at Jessi and Pete’s during the afternoon, and spending Thursday evening and Friday morning with the Bonders at our house, Thanksgiving never fails to be one of the best times of the year. I would say that I wish Thanksgiving was every day, but I wouldn’t be able to fit into my clothes anymore if that were the case.

So as I digest the turkey and stuffing, and get ready for leftover sandwiches, what/who am I thankful for?

-The best wife, co-parent, and host who has a way of making life, parenthood, and Holidays that much better

-A little girl that gives me that “we just won the Super Bowl feeling” every time I wake her up in the morning or pick her up from daycare

-Parents that make the greatest next door neighbors in the world

-Family that brings me joy, fills me with love, and continues to set a great example for what life is all about

-Friends that have stood the test of time, and a group that continues to get better and better with every new member

-A career that challenges me and has brought me more personal growth than what I knew was possible

-All of the external and uncontrollable variables that have held up for us thus far and have allowed us to keep the good times rolling

Finally, I’m thankful for anyone who reads this. 48 weeks ago when I took on this weekly reflection New Year’s challenge, I was terrified what the reaction to these posts would be, or if there would be any reaction at all. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the responses that I’ve gotten. It’s been so fun and has meant so much to me to share these experiences, capture these moments, and reflect on these lessons with all of you each week.

So thank you! I loved seeing all of the posts about what you were thankful for this year as well. Hope the day was as special for you as it was for us.