Moments D584: Giving Thanks

Today was a challenging day for me on many levels.  First of all, it was an extra long work day as I had an event today.  It was an emotional day as I dealt with the final stages of letting go of a friendship.  And it was an emotional day because my love was 3000+ miles away and feeling lonely on one of the biggest holidays in the states.

So very, very challenging.

When I was on my way home and I was asked to Skype into the Thanksgiving festivities in SoCal.   I was tired from a 13 hour work day, but I couldn't say no to EQ.  Besides, it warmed my heart to hear that my new friends from SoCal wanted to connect with me too.   But, before I go any further and share my moment of today, let me take the time to introduce a couple of  my new SoCal friends.

Sunshine-Unicorns&Rainbows (SUR) is an incredible woman, filled with a bubbling energy and positive outlook on life.  She also happens to love unicorns....and rainbows.....and sparkly shit.  I have no doubt that as we get to know one another more and more, she and I will become close friends.  She is married to:

Say-it-like-it-is (SILIS) is a  warm, witty and shoot-from-the-hip kinda guy.  Honestly, he says it like it is.   No shit.    He also loves food.  (hmmmm.  I love food....)  He and Sunshine-Unicorns&Rainbows are such a fun couple to have in my circle.  The love between them is obvious and they are so filled with laughter and positive energy!

The other couple at dinner, I've met but not had a lot of time to get to know just yet, so I'm not ready to give them nicknames.  (It wouldn't be fair!)  Suffice it to say, that T&T are going to be a ton of fun.  From what I saw tonight, they too are a fun loving couple.  Bottom line, I was laughing and smiling so hard tonight because of the group dynamics.  If I were there in person?  Boy-oh-boy would there be trouble!

Back to the story of today's moment.

My love felt like a fifth wheel and was quite excited to have me home and dialling in.  Me, I was worried I wouldn't have enough energy to share with the excited group of friends.

And then my moment of the day hit me.  Once connected EQ walked me around the room to show me where everyone was sitting, I found myself excited by their chatter, banter and side conversations.  There were quips and digs, and even a random hug in the background.  It was perfect.  The light and love that came pouring through from SUR, SILIS, T&T and EQ filled me with a third wind.

As we settled down, the first thing they had me do was pour myself a drink and then share with them what I was thankful for.  

(Nothing like being put on the spot!)

But honestly, that's easy for me.  I'm ever grateful for the family I have.  Not only my blood family (but I am very fortunate to have the blood family I do), but I'm also grateful for those family members born of friends pulled into my deepest inner circles.  I know I am lucky to have such a strong support system around me.  Most of all, I am fortunate to have ever found EQ.  How in the universe did we manage to find one another?    He's rocked my world and I will never be the same now that I've had him in my life.

And in the end, I stayed online with them for over an hour.  We shared stories of love and engagement. Stories of silly rumours and how two very strong, independent women became fast friends in spite of the rumours.  I watched as they poured more drinks and continued with the banter.   And, in the end when I hit my wall of exhaustion and I couldn't simply holdout any longer they were all very warm with their goodbyes and sharing that they were looking forward to my arrival in SoCal next month.

Yes.  My heart was warm from tonight's Skype with new friends in SoCal.  Great idea EQ.

As I reflect now upon the evening and in the vein of giving thanks, I can't help but circle back to how fortunate I am to have an amazing man like EQ in my life and for him to have introduced me into a new circle of friends.  They are amazing people.

Moments pushing past the exhaustion.

Moments pausing to give thanks and enjoying the ample light and love flowing from holiday celebrations.

Moments D539: No Turkey Thanksgiving Part Two

I spent today with four of the most magical people I know.  Today was about spending time with my Aunt, Uncle and their two beautiful girls who call me "Aunt".

Huh?

Well - that's because my aunt is actually more of a big sister to me.  Being only 8 years older than I, she and I have spent many, many hours together and ridden through many life changes (hers and mine!) in the near 40 years that I've been on this planet.  

Today, after a 7 day stretch at work, she and her family were insistent upon having a low key day.  (Who could blame them!) My Aunt made me a deal:  The only way I was allowed to come over was if I was okay with couch surfing, TV-watching, drinking and puttering.  Duh!  OF COURSE, I was in!

In the end, I helped with some yard work (strangely enough, that was a task of tying back grasses that actually came from the flower pots present at my outdoor wedding 10 years ago.  Amazing to see just how beautifully they have grown!)  and I helped fold laundry.  Comfortable and casual.  

As we sat outside drinking in the warm fall sun and sipping our Jack & cranberry, we caught up.  As time slipped by, we shared stories of the past (nearly) two months.  Much has changed in both "families" (me a very small family!).  As always, insights and opinions were shared both ways.  It was a beautiful afternoon and one that I will not soon forget.

For dinner, we met up with my Mom and Dad for a VERY laid back Thanksgiving dinner.  The seven of us piled into a van (driven by {gasp} the eldest non-niece!) and made our way to Swiss Chalet.    There we had one of the best "No Turkey Thanksgiving dinners" ever together as a family.  

So, while this year's Thanksgiving was anything but traditional in terms of the food eaten, one thing remained a constant - I was very thankful for the most awesome family that I have in my life.   I promise to never take them for granted.  

Moments enjoying a lazy day with your "sister" and her beautiful family.

Moments being thankful and realizing just how fortunate I am.

Moments D537: No Turkey Thanksgiving

Today I had two of my dearest friends join my Mom, Dad & I for dinner. What an incredible evening it was as we swapped stories and ate way more food than we should have.

Proof:



(you see the containers STACKED....right?)

Today's moment hit me when I paused and looked around the table. Here it was Thanksgiving Weekend and I was suddenly very thankful to have friends and family with me today.

It didn't matter that we weren't having the traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings. We were supping together and sharing our lives with one another. That's what mattered most.

I am thankful to be able to have a fancy table to eat upon.
I am thankful to be able to fill said fancy table with delicious HAKKA food.
I am even more thankful that I have friends that are comfortable sharing an evening with my Mom and Dad.
I am even MORE thankful to have such cool, loving parents.

A good start to my Thanksgiving weekend. No doubt.

Moments pausing to be thankful.

Moments appreciating what I have, and who I have in my life.