I can’t talk about my love for Thanksgiving without going back to my college years. Walking down memory lane to those years is nostalgic; the good kind of nostalgia.
There are so many reasons why I started to love Thanksgiving; the environment around it used to feed and fill my soul. From the breathtaking weather (sunny days and cold air), the landscapes on a November autumn day in Utah (light snow and fall leaves), to the business of arranging plans to travel home. Personally, Thanksgiving started the countdown for me to go back home, which considering that it happened only once a year, meant something big to look forward to.
I would dare say that sometimes I preferred Thanksgiving over Christmas only because of the difference in connotations around those holidays (at least in the US). In my perception Thanksgiving had to do more with going home, spending time with family, being grateful and eating; while Christmas had more to do with presents, shopping and perfect pictures, which brought unnecessary stress around that holiday.
Anyways, enough walking down memory lane. A month ago, my sisters and I decided to carry over the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving, the ‘whole thing’ just like the good old days. This was beautifully complemented last week by an invitation from our religious leader to overload our social media with messages of gratitude for seven days. So, I decided to make a journal post out of that invitation and my love for Thanksgiving.
Nov 20th: I’m grateful for my family — my foundation. Mom and dad, despite of being far from having the perfect marriage, have done a terrific job as parents. From my mom I’ve learned to always aim for more, to dream big and not to settle for less than that. From my dad I’ve learned the value of continuous learning, hard work and to face challenges one day at a time. My sisters are my rock, the place I can always rely on for help and support. I’m grateful for Buba, for showing me the meaning of unconditional loyalty and filling my days with random moments of happiness.
Nov 21th: I’m grateful for my body, my health and the opportunity I have to take care of them. In recent years, as I’ve struggled with minor health issues, I’ve learned to appreciate a perfectly capable body that allows me to perform the simplest of the tasks such as walking, seeing, and smelling. I’m grateful for the health that I’ve been able to keep up to this age; which is a big deal when I consider my family health history, and the amount of stress I’ve put my body through. I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to take care of my body and to have access to health insurance; I am well aware that this might be a privilege for some.
Nov 22th: I’m grateful for being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for the blessings the gospel has brought to my life. Religion can be a controversial topic for many and while I can understand where that position comes from, for me religion has been a source of peace, hope, comfort and strength. I’m grateful for the knowledge that I have about the existence of a plan that gives purpose to my life. I’m grateful for having a living prophet in times of uncertainty as the ones we live in and for the freedom I have to practice my faith and beliefs.
Nov 23th: I’m grateful not only for having a job, but also for working at company whose values and principles I share and for the growth and career development I’ve had within it. Knowing that many people have sadly lost their jobs this year, I’m especially grateful for the stability that having a job brings to my life and for the opportunities that I’ve had to help my family and others because of it. I’m grateful to work around smart people, including my amazing manager that dared to take the risk of choosing the young-me to lead the team, and for each of my team members that have been willing to walk this unknown path with me.
Nov 24th: I’m grateful for friends that make life joyful and just better. Time has shown me the importance of being surrounded by people that know you, accept you and love you despite your flaws; the importance of having a support system that listens, understands, warns you all from a non-judgmental place. I’m grateful for my friends’ patience as they put with my terrible ability to answer texts or WhatsApp messages timely. I’m grateful for technology that enables us to keep connected despite distance and time zones.
Nov 25th: I’m grateful for science and medicine. I’m grateful for the doctors and nurses that have been the first line of defense against COVID-19 for months now, for their resilience and strength. I continue to admire their devotion, conviction and vocation given the lack of cooperation of the population to take measures that would help control this situation (like using a mask!). I’m grateful for the dedicated scientists that are working around the clock to bring a vaccine to the world to end this situation.
Nov 26th: I’m grateful for life, everything about it. I’m grateful for my life story and upbringings (the good and bad) that have made me who I’m today. I’m grateful for the moments that turned into unforgettable memories that I hold near to my heart. I’m grateful for the challenges (including pandemics) that have turn into learning and growing opportunities. I’m grateful for mistakes, for second opportunities and fresh starts. I’m grateful for sites and people we can call home, our happy and safe places.
There, seven days of conscious and intentional gratitude. This morning while I’m missing the fall environment that I love, my soul feels like it used to feel back in college, at peace, filled and hopeful.
Unapologetic Thoughts 