The Gratitude I Did Not See Coming

so many layers of my heart…exposed!

This year at Thanksgiving, I asked everyone at the table what they were grateful for. I truly wasn’t expecting the responses I received.

Marvin shared his appreciation for me in a way that just completely caught me off guard.
My daughter, in her own very coded way, basically said she was grateful for MOM.
which… if you know her, that’s a huge honor. She’s always been famously known as “daddy’s girl,” so of course I started tearing up.

And then my son shared his awareness of the opportunities I’ve worked so hard to create for him his entire life. Hearing him say that out loud was the cherry on top — I couldn’t hold back the tears. It felt like they all delivered a coordinated punch straight to my heart in the best way possible. 😵‍💫🥊

For years I’ve struggled with being seen as the “strict” parent. The one guiding, protecting, and building structure no one really notices in real time. No one sees the sacrifices while they’re happening.
But in that moment, I felt recognized. Seen. Loved. Appreciated.

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Yes, even more than Christmas there wasn’t pressure to exchange gifts.
Growing up, I just longed for a simple, peaceful meal with my loved one where everyone was peaceful and happy.

But surprisingly, hosting this year wasn’t too stressful. Even with a small kitchen, one oven, and a whole lot dishes, we made it happen.
I trusted the process. By noon I was exhausted and somehow craving wine even though I rarely drink. So yes, after a solid 4 hours non stop in the kitchen, we cracked open a bottle of Cab.

When it was finally time to sit down and eat, I looked around the table and felt an overwhelming sense of peace.
Finally living under one roof with my kids and my dogs again is something I’ll never take for granted.

Sharing a meal with the people I love most felt like one of my biggest dreams coming true.