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Giving Thanks…

What amazes me every year is how fast the year really flies by. I’m not sure if it’s always flown by this fast or maybe because of my age I’m just more aware of it now then I ever was…hmmm…

I do know that I LOVE this time of year, it’s my favorite, the leaves changing, the evenings or cooler and crisper.  Time to dig out the turtlenecks and the winter coats and gloves.  And then there’s Thanksgiving, the holiday where we stuff ourselves until we’re feeling happy and once it’s over the year is basically done. I just kiss the year goodbye because Christmas is around the corner… [This photo is the family, Meredith, my partner and Harrison our son. This was taken at one of our most favorite places- Naples, Maine.]

Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions that you do each year?  We always try to spend the holiday with my brother and his family in Connecticut.  We’ve been doing that for years with maybe once or twice we had other plans, like last year when we went to Maine, which was beautiful- I’d love to spend Thanksgiving up there again.  It’s small, just he and his wife 2 kids and their dog, plus the 3 of us and our dog Lily. We spend the afternoon before Thanksgiving in the kitchen, cooking, baking, laughing, drinking wine and just catching up.  Then on Thanksgiving day we always do our holiday walk with the dogs around his neighborhood and do some more cooking, preparing and snacking.  Then we eat in the early afternoon, stuff ourselves silly.  And after we clean up we always pick a movie and watch it all of us together.  It’s all about traditions, memories and experiences…

So here I sit in the car on the fateful trek to Connecticut. This year we’re doing something new- I’m sitting in the back with the dog and Harrison is up front with my partner Meredith.  It’s such a short trip, I didn’t want to drug the poor dog, Lily just doesn’t like to be in the car for more than 30 minutes and she basically almost stands the whole way. So my son Harrison gets frustrated, so I said I’d deal with her this year. It’s an interesting perspective being in the back seat.  I can’t see the traffic so much, which is good, because I’m usually the one who always drives, so it was nice to give that up this year.  Traffic is always hit or miss on “gridlock” alert days like this day, the afternoon before Thanksgiving- driving from NJ to Darien, CT.

One thing’s for sure about this holiday is I always love to take a minute to give thanks and make a list of all I’m grateful for. It’s interesting how some things change and others are a constant like I’m so thankful for:

–       My amazing and inspiring partner of 10 years- Meredith

–       Our amazing son Harrison who’s 14 and already in high school

–       Our sweet rescue dog Lily, who just turned 4 and still spunky, albeit still not liking car rides

–       My terrific business that I’ve had for 5 years

–       My inspiring client Alex Mandossian

–       My family- all my brothers and sisters, my Mom, and most especially my Dad who taught me so much about life, about work and being in the moment for his short 73 years on this earth

–       All the lives I’ve been able to help and touch over the years- one of my main goals in life is to give back and really make a difference in this short time I’m here

–       And so much more!

What are you thankful for in your life?  What are you grateful for each day? I’d love to hear from you. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones.

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One Comment

  • Bill Parlaman

    Shannon,

    Great post.

    Traditions are great and making new ones is a lot of fun too.

    I could never sit in the back seat because I have a weak belly and get car sick…even at my age!

    You have a lot to be thankful for. Enjoy your weekend and travel safe.

    Bill Parlaman

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