Gratitude is a complicated topic.  You hear a lot about it.  You know it’s a good idea.  And on those sunny, halycon days, it’s easy to practice.

But then life happens.

A friend becomes terminally ill.  The boss walks in and says the company is downsizing.  The warning light on the car keeps coming on and no amount of black tape will make it go away.  Or, maybe you just start wondering what happened to the last 30 years?

It’s part of getting older.  Looking back, and giving up on the idea you had the perfect childhood.  Looking around, and not seeing that cute, supportive spouse bringing you your slippers and 2.5 smiling children calling every weekend to see how you are.  Looking forward, and wondering if there are any more real adventures ahead besides daring to walk to the refrigerator without your custom-made orthotics.

When I was a kid, singer Peggy Lee had a hit song I absolutely detested called “Is that all there is?”….I hated it.  I still don’t enjoy hearing it, but I understand better what she was trying to say.  When we keep waiting for our lives to “start”, we miss out on the fact they already have.  Every day really is an opportunity to help another person, to learn something new, to try and find a moment of solace in the madness.  And gratitude really does make that easier.

Now here comes the holiday that’s as loaded as an overstuffed suitcase.  Thanksgiving.  Raise your hand if yours has ever resembled the Norman Rockwell painting.  Congratulations, you may go.  For the rest of us, it’s probably been something else.  Watch the Hallmark movies.  Then remember when Uncle Fred announced he was leaving Aunt Jean over the stuffing.  Watch the football games.  Then try to forget when the dog pulled the turkey off the table and little Brad fell on the driveway and at least three arguments broke out at the same time.  Watch the tear-jerking commercials of reunions and marriage proposals and then remember you’ll probably be seated at dinner next to the one family member who secretly resents you and is just one glass of wine away from telling you.

Like Chris Rock said in a standup routine, “It ain’t Christmas unless somebody’s crying.”   But we’re getting ahead of ourselves, let’s stay in Thanksgiving for a bit.

So what is Thanksgiving?  Or, what can be to each of us?   Amazon wants us to spend it shopping online.  Facebook wants us to watch cat videos.  And all those Norman Rockwell types want us to help re-create that photograph that never actually happened.

As a baby boomer, you’ve seen it all.  You might be thinking a turkey sandwich and Cary Grant movie might be all you need.  If that’s your choice, go for it.  But maybe there’s another way to look at it.  Go inside.  Really inside.  What are you truly thankful for?

Your best friend after all these years?

Your sense of humor?

Your patience with your grandchildren?

Your health after that bad scare last year?

The way the sun lights up the leaves in a brilliant show of color?

Take those thoughts and let gratitude wash over you.

And if you find yourself in a clamorous, angry,  exhausting setting, let yourself go inside again.  Be grateful you can do that.  If you are pressed at the table to list what you are grateful for, here’s  list to get you started:

Boomers’ Gratitude List:

Elastic

Naps

Wisdom

Discounts

Old movies

Giggling grandchildren

Faithful dogs

Cuddly cats

Sweet spouses

Newfound freedom

Elastic (worth mentioning twice)

Pie

Cool evenings

Health, in whatever form it is

Life

We’ve made it this far…and we are grateful!  Happy Thanksgiving and keep rockin’ it!

 

“I am grateful for what I am and what I have.  My thanksgiving is perpetual.”

Henry David Thoreau