Thanksgiving

Well, next week is Thanksgiving!
Have you thought about what you are thankful for? I have- I try to focus on my blessings, what I am thankful for, on a weekly basis. So, what am I thankful for this season?
I am thankful for my family, both biological and friends. I am truly thankful for my daughter. I am thankful that after over two years, my ex and I are getting along great. I am thankful that this season is going to be stress free: no worrying, no trying to make everybody happy and be told its not enough. I am thankful for my pets, the spirits of my home. I am thankful to be for the most part living a comfortable life- sure, things get tight from time to time. I am thankful for my home. I am thankful for great neighbors, neighbors who I know their names, their kids names, even their pets names! I'm sure if I sat here long enough, I could fill up pages with my thanks!
And if you are reading this, I am thankful, as you are probably my friend!

It happened. Slowly, over the past week and a half, Christmas has been sloowly prying its way into 2010. Some would say,"SLOWLY? Are you kidding? Haven't you been to _______ or _______ yet?!" I would say, oh sure, I've been there, seen the plastic Christmas trees on sale, the colored lights, etc. etc. But for me, I have always been one to stave off "the season" till after Thanksgiving. I like giving Thanksgiving its whole day!

But this year, I am hearing Christmas music on the radio. I was in Michigan this past weekend, and saw a truck full of tied up firs making its way to the city.I went to the local market, and bought three firs, two for my planters, and the extra I will be giving to my neighbor. Olivia bought an ornament and some paper heart sunglasses. On the way home to Chicago, I mentioned how it smells like Christmas in the car. Olivia said Christmas doesn't have a smell. I said, Christmas to me is the smell of Christmas trees in your living room, and cinnamon sticks and cloves boiling in water coming from the kitchen (like mom used to do, and what I do now), scented candles and pine cones.

And I saw the geese flying south- a sure sign of winter around the corner. I've been listening to mother nature- I've been on the planet for nearly 42 full changes of the seasons, so I know what to listen for... and it all says winter is coming- for those of us that celebrate Christianity, Christmas. Christmas is coming.

... and after a busy week, full of laughter and fun, silence.

H a double l o, w, double e n, spells halloween!

Halloween. It has always been one of my favorite holidays, right after Thanksgiving.
This year was special- it was the first time Olivia actually got it, that it is all about fun and candy, and how much of both you can have! We went trick or treating with our neighbors again, which is actually quite fun. One kid was the Grim Reaper, another Elmo, and Olivia was a white princess with red hair (courtesy of her "Little Mermaid" costume that she opted out of last minute).
A few days ago she starting telling me the ins and outs of how to successfully trick or treat. She said, first, you go up to a house. Then, you ring the doorbell or knock if they don't have a door bell to ring, then, you say "TRICK OR TREAT" loudly. "You know what trick or treat means, papa? ""No", I respond. "Please tell me." "It means, GIVE ME SOME CANDY!" A huge laugh from me, which made her mad, which meant I spent the next ten minutes trying to tell her I wasn't laughing at her, but with her. She ended up forgiving me, and all was good.
Our candles were lit, the skeleton was aglow, and it was nice and comfy in our home while she sat on the sofa happily munching on some sweets while watching a halloween special. It was another successful Halloween!

Read previous post first, please!

I was on the phone with my daughter this morning, asking her the usual things, when I said thank you again for the love letters. She giggled,and said, "papa, who else gave you love letters?" And my response was you, Olivia! Then I started thinking, when was the last time I got a love letter? I really couldn't remember, which kind of through me a bit. After going over my memory, I realized I was 22 or 23 from my partner at the time. I have been in two relationships since. Wow. When was the last time you got a love letter, or better yet, wrote one to someone you love? Wouldn't that be the best thing to do or receive? Next time I am in love with a partner, I promise to write love letters. How about you?

The gift.

Today I received the most precious gift, a gift that is so sweet, so beautiful, that made me realize how wonderful a life I have. The gifts came from my daughter. She had a big smile on her face when she handed them to me- three hand drawn pictures of herself that she said were love notes- for me! One picture she had two pony tails- one, curled hair, and the other her hair was down, and surrounding these images were hearts. My favorite was a picture of her in orange, her hair down, arms outstretched, her name written on the top left, and two orange hearts. I loved receiving them! I gave her a big hug and kiss and told her that was such a wonderful gift- and that I will hang them on the refrigerator (where all the good art work goes, before it gets wall space!).
Such a simple gift. Such a beautiful little girl. I am the luckiest papa alive!

Something happens. New feelings stir, some that were thought to be gone forever. A renewed sense of hope. A sign of an awakening. A happy future? Not all things last forever, both big and small, happy or sad, together or alone. It is a cycle. One that changes, one that has a start and a beginning as well as an end- a circle. There is something stirring. A new circle is about to begin.