Because of the consequences of side effects, I found myself unable to enjoy Thanksgiving from the traditional eat too much, feel miserably stuffed and watch football perspective. Rather, I found myself listening to everything swirling around me. Nancy and her sisters catching up on all the latest happenings, Erin playing piano, and my nephew Marshall and his girlfriend talking about nothing. It had a softer, slightly warmer vibe to it. I liked it. Of course, the food was over the top and everybody else managed to get too full, but I was warmed by the glow of “other” things, things most people don’t pay as much attention to.
This morning after walking the dog and feeling the emptiness of the streets, I sat down to review emails. I received one from a member of a team I’m on. We are the “giving” team for a four day retreat, where men come together and spend four days disconnected from lives, phones, and computers in order to spend time with the deeper things of life. It is a wonderful experience. I went on the retreat last year, and feel honored to be asked to be a part of a giving team this year. Dan was letting us know that the team’s leader, Barry, lost his son yesterday. What !!??!!
I have no idea what happened, and at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter. On our national day of thanksgiving, a man lost his son. His name was Nick. I don’t know much about him except that his dad was awfully proud of him, and spoke warmly of him. This whole thing makes me wonder if when opening my heart to gratitude for all the things I have, I am including my children and wife. Does my gratitude start just outside of my family, or do I have a sufficient awareness of their presence in my life to be enormously grateful that when I wake up in the morning, my wife and babies are all safe and alive. If I have been remiss in being propoerly thankful for them, I won’t be anymore.
Please take a second if you are reading this to send up a small prayer for Barry and his wife. They need it. Then go talk to your babies.

Have a blessed holiday, and, thanks for listening