Fall Colors in the Rockies © 2013 by Pat Ruppel
Time to give, time to be grateful, time to reflect ― it’s almost Thanksgiving in the U.S. and, like most, we’re busy planning and preparing. But, this year will be a quiet celebration for hubby and me. We’ll be hanging around home eating, watching football games and old Hallmark movies ― just the two of us.
Sounds traditional, but not really, I can already feel the closeness of home and energy of gratitude. I cherish these times together and remember it was just last year when hubby took ill suddenly and was in and out of the hospital a couple of times between Christmas and New Year’s.
It’s hard to believe the holidays are upon us and another year’s end is rounding the corner. I guess when you’re in your golden years, time really does seem to go faster.
I’ve always pictured it as chugging up the hill the first half of your life until you reach the top. Then, the 2nd half of your life you’re flying down the other side. But, on the way down, it’s different. What you may have missed on the way up becomes more significant on the way down and precious. You try to hold on as if it’s the last chance you’ll ever see it like that again.
Perhaps, it is like John Koenig says in “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” and portrays in the video “Avenoir” (the desire that memory could flow backwards):
“We take it for granted that life moves forward. But you move as a rower moves, facing backwards: you can see where you’ve been, but not where you’re going. And your boat is steered by a younger version of you. It’s hard not to wonder what life would be like facing the other way…”
No matter which way we go through life, facing forward or backwards, I don’t want to miss it and the upcoming holidays speak loudly of that. It’s too precious and these special times won’t come around again in exactly the same way.
I hope this Thanksgiving finds you surrounded with love and blessed with the laughter of family and friends. Take time to hug more with a pause to give thanks in the moments of happiness.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Pat from the ol’ kitchen table
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I know from tv that Thanksgiving a special time for many in America but it is not something we have here in Aus.
Hi Joanne – you probably have similar festive holidays where you gather with family and friends in the spirit of giving and love. We just call it Thanksgiving. Great to have you back – enjoy seeing your happy face. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Although I may not always comment, I do enjoy reading your blog. 🙂
Hi Cheryl — happy Thanksgiving to you and yours too! I’m happy to see your comment and even happier that you enjoy reading what I write. That in and of itself is plenty and means a lot, my friend. 🙂
What beautiful words Pat! Life is to be cherished. You are so excellent at writing heartfelt messages of hope and goodwill. Bless you Pat. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Susan, and so true when you say “life is to be cherished”. I’m happy you stopped by and enjoyed my words and reflections. I love this time of year — the best of humanity comes out. Wishing you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving, too. God bless you all. 🙂
Pat, I hope you and your husband enjoy your quiet day. Mine won’t be so quiet but it will include football. 🙂 I’m sending your positive thoughts that hopefully both you and your husband will be healthy this holiday season.
Thank you, Lois. I’m sure we will enjoy our quiet day and looking forward to it with our little festivities. I feel your positive thoughts, my friend, and have much to be thankful for. Hope you have a special Thanksgiving surrounded with love, family and friends. 🙂
We have decided to do the same for Christmas this year … a really quiet but special day for just the two of us. Enjoy thanksgiving Pat and I’l try and remember to share your post on Thursday 🙂
Hi Diana — not sure how we’ll celebrate Christmas this year but, like Thanksgiving for us, I’m sure a quiet day for the two of you will be truly special. It’s nice when you can come full circle with hubby and celebrate remembering how it all began. I love it. God bless you on your special day. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your hubby…may you have lots to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday.
Thank you, Bev, and wishing you and yours a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving, as well. I hope you have a special holiday of love surrounded by family and friends. God bless you. 🙂
Dear Pat, this is just so beautiful, I have shed a little tear or two with the emotion you stir up inside me. What a beautiful time together for you and your hubby, and I am so glad that you have these quiet, peaceful moments to celebrate Thanksgiving. It sounds ideal to me. We don’t do Thanksgiving in England but I will have my boys home, all my chicks back in the nest, for my middle son’s birthday on Saturday. So I have much to be thankful for. I remember all the Thanksgivings I celebrated with my family in the States, this time of year is so evocative and brings back many bittersweet memories. Now I hold onto what is so precious. As you do now, with your hubby. Thank you so much for this profoundly moving post…God bless you and have a truly Happy Thanksgiving my dear friend… <3
Aw, thank you Sherri. I’m so happy to share these moments with you. I treasure them and pass them along with the hope they will have meaning and touch hearts. I’m glad they have for you as it makes it all that much worthwhile. I know you’re going through some rough times and glad to hear everyone will be home this weekend. What more could we ask for than to have our loved ones with us.
It’s nice that you have good memories of Thanksgiving here in the States. So, you can truly join us in spirit as we celebrate. Keep all those good memories close to your heart for they’re always there to draw on when we need them for comfort and to feel loved. I’ll be thinking of you today and sending you warm hugs of gratitude across the pond for being my friend. God bless you and yours on this special holiday.