Celebrations: Happy Thanksgiving!

The year 2010 has been a year of joy and sorrow for the family. It kicked of with Ms B and Chef’s wedding where friends and family, still hungover from the Christmas merriment, came to celebrate. It was extra special because it was an occasion that brought family together for the first time since our maternal grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary in 20004. In fact, more members of the clan were in attendance this year.

The last quarter of 2010, however, began with grief for the loss of our patriarch. It has been over a month, but we remain mournful. The holidays just doesn’t feel right without him. But, c’est la vie…and I’m sure he’ll be celebrating with us.

If I were to speak for my family alone, it’s been tough. The long distance relationship we endured that I openly shared was just a tiny bit of the whole picture. However, no matter the challenges, there are more than enough blessings to be thankful for. In fact, the mere fact that we’re able to conquer these obstacles everyday is already a blessing. We’re getting so good at rolling with the punches, maybe soon we’ll learn how do dodge bullets a la Matrix.

For two years before Multiply’s reign was overpowered by Facebook, I blogged things that I was thankful for, for the year. I’d like to revive the short-lived tradition today.

1. My Parents – Our individual differences make it difficult to deal with them sometimes, especially since they have live away from me for years. But, no matter how much our idiosyncrasies get into each others’ nerves, I am forever grateful to their unconditional love and their unending support.

2. Um’s Approved Visa – I haven’t blogged about it, but the much awaited reunion has happened. Um and Lil HRH are finally here, just in time for the holidays! It has been chaos, noise, chaos, noise in the house, and I barely have room to step on, but it’s the kind of mess that I don’t complain about!

3. Kiddos’ Accomplishments – Recent achievements are Captain Awesome’s acceleration to the third grade and Lil HRH’s excellent mark in her assessment. Yes, yes…I share their milestones waaaay too much online, but I just can’t help it. I do remind them, though, that they are given these skills and talents not for personal gain, but to someday be able to use them to help other. Seriously!

4. Edward Bloom – The curtain has closed on the magnificent life that he lived. He has touched so many lives, I wonder if he was aware of that. I am thankful to God for giving him to me as a grandfather, or me to him as a granddaughter, whichever was God’s intention.

And the little things. They are never overlooked…for they are the ones that get us up and going everyday. They count more than we ever acknowledge.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!