November

I love November. I love November for a number of reasons; Autumn really cranks it up in November, sometimes it even snows. There aren't too many things I find more beautiful than frost on bright orange and golden leaves. Right smack at the start of the month we have the celebrations of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. It isn't so morbid mourning/celebrating the lives of those who have gone before us, to take note of the lessons they have for us, to be thankful they have been a part of our history, our lives. For the very same reasons, I enjoy and I am proud to celebrate Veterans Day.

My husband, Kieran, has his birthday in November. It should be celebrated with all of the grand festivities of the other holidays in this season but often it is simply celebrated, quietly, not too much pomp or circumstance surrounding it. This belies how very special he is to me and our family, but it is more in keeping with his nature. Some year I would really like to do something huge and awesome and amazing for him, just to throw him for a loop :)

The most obvious reason (at least to me) that I love November is Thanksgiving. It is a day of feasting (always a plus in my book) and family (not always a plus and yet...) It is remembering all of the blessings in my life. It is the dusk before the dawn of Advent. I hate when stores are all getting ready for Christmas before we've even had the chance to celebrate Thanksgiving. I like to celebrate Thanksgiving to it's fullest. Rising at first light to prep the bird and watch, in order, The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, The National Dog Show and then A Miracle on 34th Street (1947 version). All the while I'll be looking over ads for Black Friday and debating on whether or not I want to dive into that nightmare at the crack of dawn the next day. Somewhere in there I like to try to fit in actually playing in a soccer game and walking Baloo. It always seems to work out.

This whole month is a constant reminder to me, day after day, of how much I truly have to be thankful for. Thankful for my family, my job, my country (and all that it entails). Thankful for my health (still need a flu shot). Thankful for what I like to call the Liturgy of my life. The spiritual awakening that happens in me this time of year. Thankful for the reminder to be thankful.

I started this blog last Spring as a reminder to myself, my coworkers and my friends to be a positive force in our own little part of the world. Granted, I'm not the best at keeping on it but I believe my intent for it is true. Things Are Looking Up. Are they? Sometimes, Maybe...but I believe it's up to each and every one of us to do that "Looking Up". We need to take note of what is good and positive.

Heck! we need to take note of what is not always good nor positive but know that sometimes they are necessary. Necessary to incite something in us that yearns for something better. Necessary to encourage us, enrage us, engage us, lead us to action. Necessary enough to remind us of all that is good in our world, our country, our home.

OK, sorry this turned into a babble of sap, I get like that sometimes. I'm thankful for that too.