Thinking about all things Thanksgiving

But it's hard, because I'm being bombarded by Christmas. Songs, decorations, advertising, everything. I love the holidays, each, in order, but lately, it feels as if Thanksgiving is being completely squeezed out. So, I hope you'll join me in a little crusade to think about Thanksgiving. It's time for an attitude of gratitude. So between now, and Turkey Day, try to be extra thankful for everything in your life. Start with you. Look at yourself in the mirror, and smile. Be thankful for the person looking back at you.

Extend your thanks to your friends and family.  Tell someone you love that you do. Do it now.

You know all of those people who make your life a little easier everyday? Tell them thanks. Look them in the eye and mean it.

Have you volunteered lately? Directly helping another human being who you don't know, who happens to be down on her luck will always impact your heart and soul. That's not the reason to do it, of course, but when you do give back you are the one who will receive.

Thanksgiving blessings abound. Spend your time between now and then making sure you notice them all.

Real You: Passages

My father-in-law, Harley E. Rouda Sr., died last Thursday. He lived a great life, accomplished so much, raised four kids, started a business that still survives today and, he loved to laugh. What's more, he was a trailblazer who welcomed women into management positions in the real estate industry long before most others. My husband and his dad were incredibly close - a type of bond you hope for between a father and son, a kid and a parent. But you know what else? He also was incredibly close to my children. He was a great grandfather to our four kids. Present, loving, giving, teasing, laughing. He was there and they knew it.

Unfortunately, my children were too young to remember their great grandparents before they died. So this, their beloved grandpa was the first person they loved who passed away. First funeral. First memorial service. First burial. And while each kid has handled it differently, they were all deeply saddened by his loss. And will be.

Passages are hard, but inevitable. Before my father-in-law's death, I had been overly focused on the next passages in our nuclear family - another child entering his senior year in high school and my first, entering his senior year in college. One more year until the real world for him; one more year with two kids at home for me. That hollow sound of the nest emptying gets louder by the minute, but that's for another post.

These passages, while difficult, are surmountable and they're important steps in life. Death, the final passage, puts all of the daily hurdles and blessings disguised as life changes into perspective. I'm going to try to remember that for the coming years.

Just as I'll always remember my father-in-law's twinkling blue eyes and his wonderful smile. As he said the last time I saw him over Memorial Day weekend: "This is it. If you keep laughing, keep having fun, you keep going. You could live forever." And he will, in our hearts and in the comfort of God's embrace.

Real You: This is what happens in Vegas

We decided to take a last-minute, end of the summer family trip and where did we head? Las Vegas, of course. Yes, while it may not spring to mind as a wholesome family bonding spot, no matter where you travel with your kids, it can be a chance to bring you all closer together (literally in our case via the road trip).
And here's what happens in Vegas: we talked, we laughed, we went to a show every night, we swam in huge pools and wandered through immense hotels.
And now, we're back. Gearing up for school to start. Reconnected to technology, responsibility, and work. I'm glad that what happened in Vegas - for our family - will stay, not in Vegas, but in our memories for a lifetime.