It has been a rough 2018. That's been my case, and I've heard others say the same about their lives this year. If this is your case, you may be finding it a bit tougher to give thanks this Thanksgiving.
If life, health and pondering the even worse fortunes of others aren't not enough to catapult you to an attitude of gratitude, perhaps these suggestions will help.
Be thankful that it's only once a year that your loved one, who otherwise doesn't cook, insists on deep-frying a turkey ... and "just knows" he/she can get it right this time. Be thankful that there are folk out there who can do a deep-fried turkey, even if it'll cost ya. And, of course, be thankful that there's such a thing as green bean casserole.
If you're the Razorbacks football team, or someone associated with it, be thankful for your all-weather fans. If you're a depressed Razorbacks football fan, be thankful that it ain't all about football anyway.
And, borrowing from an old column, be thankful for all those aging aids you used to laugh at and give the side-eye to when you were younger, but are now the coolest, most useful things ever ... jar openers, long-handled picker-uppers/sock aids/shoe horns, toilet boosters, getter-uppers, attachable tub handles ... and yes, incontinence products. (Please, can somebody buy me a swivel seat cushion?)
Yes, be thankful that you have a job. Be thankful that it doesn't involve having to recount ballots in Florida.
Be thankful for sunrises and sunsets, especially considering all the rain these days. Be thankful for the still of the night, for the freshness of morning, for day-dreamy afternoons and evening chill-outs, especially considering how few and far between those peaceful moments can be.
Be thankful, in these violent times, that there are still cat videos at which you can chuckle; that there are still people who will hold the door open for you and that there are still folks who will thank you when you hold the door open for them.
Especially if you're a baby boomer, be thankful that you can still find your favorite songs somewhere on YouTube, no matter how old and obscure they are. Be thankful that all those pop, rock and Motown hits are being revived in commercials for you to sing along -- even if you hate commercials -- and other pop culture vehicles. ("Mama ... just killed a man ... but I did not shoot the deputy ..." Oh, wait ... )
Be thankful for the sound of children laughing and playing, especially when they're not doing so while misbehaving. If you have no grandchildren, at least be thankful that you don't have to suffer through the "Baby Shark Dance."
Be thankful for free stuff, especially if it's something you can regift. Be thankful for that friend who always seems to have facial tissue and breath mints when you -- who never carry them -- need them. Be thankful that this friend never seems to get tired of your mooching.
Be thankful for online shopping when you can't, or can't bear to, get out and fight the Christmas-shopping crowds. But also be thankful for local merchants who can provide you those products you won't find just everywhere.
Be thankful for that up-close parking space that's available when you need it; and be thankful for the faraway parking space that allows you to get some exercise. And be thankful that those U.S. Department of Health and Human Services exercise guidelines are getting easier, especially if you're getting older.
Be thankful for companies that don't make you pay a surcharge for making a payment; companies that don't try to sell you bundled services with the ulterior motive of getting you to always pay your bill because there's at least one of those services you don't want to lose; and companies that don't offer "trial subscriptions."
Be thankful that those mistakes we survived -- romantic, financial, or otherwise -- turned out to be stepping stones of growth and maturity.
And, as always, be very thankful for indoor plumbing.
Grateful for email:
hwilliams@arkansasonline.com
Style on 11/18/2018