I feel like I am still not over 2020 and here we are at Thanksgiving 2021! My posts tend to be heavy on the heart. One thing that I am consistently working on is having more frivolous fun! I have always had difficulty prioritizing leisure and folly in my life. Happiness is contagious and laughter is medicine. We can always use some happiness and laughter in our lives! During this time of year, people spend time reflecting on what they’re thankful for. We always get the usual favorites: family, health, milestone. I thought it would be great to spend some time thinking about what moms specifically are likely thankful for this year! Let’s get started... 1. You get help with the kids. As a “Covid first time mom” (e.g. I gave birth during Covid), I personally like to take advantage of any opportunity to have a break from parenting. Don’t get me wrong, I love my sweet rainbow girl but sometimes, mama needs a break! Especially now that I’ve received the Fibromyalgia diagnosis. I find that my stamina is still not what is used to be. Thanksgiving means that I get a day’s worth of village level support! Throughout the day, all of the aunties and cousins flock to my daughter, taking turns holding her and covering her cheeks with kisses. That means that I get to spend hours upon hours, drinking holiday spirits and not sharing my food. Ahh… I can feel the freedom now! 2. You don’t HAVE to cook! I recognize that this depends on your circumstances! I know some of us are the only chefs in our family, in which case, God Bless and Godspeed on this very special day! But, if you’re like me, you can take advantage of the fact that grandma, mom, and auntie engage in a full-fledged cooking contest every Thanksgiving. What’s that? You all think you are the best at cooking my favorite dishes? Perfect. I’ll take a doggy bag and have leftovers for lunch AND dinner all weekend! At this point in motherhood, I don’t even want to bring the dessert! When asked, “What are you bringing?”, my reply is always “plates and cups”. No shame. I am standing in my “I’m not cooking” truth. Oh, so thankful! 3. Companies are starting to honor the holiday.
This may be something that only bothered me, but I really started to hate the capitalist side of Thanksgiving. Actually, I hate the capitalist side of most holidays! I’m a 90’s baby and I remember a time when EVERYTHING was closed on every major holiday. I didn’t think anything of it until Black Friday turned into dark and shady Thursday. Every year, the stores opened earlier and earlier until friends and family started disappearing from dinner in order to catch that cheap 50-inch tv deal. This year, I’ve noticed major stores making a conscious effort to either close completely or open later on Thanksgiving evening in order to give workers the much needed quality time with their families. It is nice to see that change happening throughout the country. Living through Covid has been difficult, but it’s nice to see that it’s helped people realize what’s most important again! 4. What diet?! I think we can all agree that Thanksgiving is the one day of the year that people judge you for being ON a diet! There’s not much else to say here. EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT! 5. We’re alive to celebrate! Okay. I couldn’t help myself with this one. I know I said I would keep it light, but on a serious note. There is so much to be thankful for this year. If you’re reading this, you’re alive and you are surviving during a literal pandemic. I know that “pandemic” has kind of lost it’s significance since we’ve heard it so much at this point. But, make no mistake, this is a pandemic. This is terrifying. Millions of lives have been lost around the world. If you and your loved ones are together this year. Count your blessings, twice. This is a day to spend with those you yearned to be with for months and months and months in 2020. We are together, once again. Take time to relish in the love of those around you this Thanksgiving. It’s one for the books!