On this National Holiday of Thanksgiving and Gluttony, we have had a decidedly quiet, decidely nice, and not very gluttonous day. It seems fitting for all that is going on the world right now, although that was not our intent.
We are thankful for living in this country and all the safety's and freedoms it gives us, despite its problems, for all socieities have problems.
But this year we are especially thankful for the small things, like a new carafe for the coffee pot, which arrived Wednesday night by UPS. This allowed us to spend the first part of the day sipping coffee and puttering about the house, reading and doing small tasks in good company.
The lid to the old carafe had been fused to the body and could not be opened, and I had not thought I would miss it as much as I did in the six days we waited for the replacement to arrive. I have learned that I may love an espresso in the afternoon, but I also love puttering about with a cup of good strong American Coffee in the morning. This morning we gave thanks for coffee.
In the afternoon we gave thanks for congenial time spent with friends and neighbors. Good food, good conversation, wine, coffee, indulgence but no excess. What a lovely holiday.
We are also celebrating because G's test results came back as positive for NPH and we have started the process of getting surgical approvals so that he can have a shunt put in to drain the excess spinal fluid and hopefully regain as much ability to live and function on his own as possible. This is truly good news. We don't have a surgical date yet, but are hoping it will be in the next month or two, depending on the various schedules and desires of his numerous physicians. I know that once we get everything moving, the pace might speed up and I am truly happy and looking forward to whatever may happen, setbacks or not.
On less positive notes, if you haven't read this article, take a look. It is excellent albeit sobering. And yet even this cannot dampen my mood. Whatever happens is beyond my control and I know I will cope regardless. And that is a happy feeling.