Happy Thanksgiving!

Traditionally on this day, we express gratitude for the goodness in our lives. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? But, as I was trying to figure out what to blog about today, I had originally toyed with the idea of posting photos of the things I am most grateful for. Until I realized that that’s pretty much what I do EVERY day. Not that I am not extremely thankful for my friends and family, my home and garden, my creative endeavours and leisure pursuits, and so on and so forth today (and every day, for that matter). It’s just that, well… I guess – for whatever reason – I wanted to do something a little different.

After this one photo of the “fambily”… on a trip… at a waterpark. 😉

So. As I was mulling over what to write about, I went to check in on Facebook and decided to update my status. The first thing that popped into my head, after having just come home from a big ol’ family dinner, was that at that particular moment, I was most thankful for my elastic waistband. And there it was. My post for today. A list of ten everyday luxuries that I am truly grateful for, but that tend to get overlooked or taken for granted. Starting with…

1. Elastic – whether it’s forgivingly holding up my skirt after a big meal, gently tying back my hair, smartly keeping the strap on my shoe fitting properly, cleverly cinching in my kid’s pants to differing degrees as he grows, securely keeping that bottom sheet right where it belongs, or brilliantly mixing together with the denim in my jeans to hug my butt “just so”… it always knows just how far to go.
2. Steel – whether stainless, structural, or enamel-baked, what would we do without it? It’s in everything from vehicles to buildings to tools to appliances to machines to furniture to bridges to armour to knives to springs to tracks to wires to watches to surgical equipment to that slightly rusty ball of wool you use to clean those really burnt pans… Yeah, you get the point. Wow.
3. Television – there was a time in my life when I didn’t even have a television and I truly didn’t miss it. Life was simpler then, as I had all the freedom and time in the world to explore a great wealth of possibilities. Nowadays, TV is one of the few ways I can enjoy some “least-effort” entertainment – I mean, you can’t build a block tower with your child AND read a book at the same time, but you CAN race cars across the floor AND keep one eye on the Hoff as he gets his butt kicked off of Dancing With the Stars.
4. The Internet – do I really need to explain this one? Looking up recipes (schedules, facts, weather, your finances, WHATEVER) in an instant, ordering anything you can possibly imagine online, seeing and speaking to loved ones on the other side of the country in “real time”, having the input/reviews of hundreds of people you don’t ever have to know before making that big purchase, knowing the news AS it happens, keeping up with your friends and family via social networking… all at the instant touch of a button. Crazy.
5. Plastic – I know, I know… this is SO “non-green” of me, but I’m just being honest here. I love playing with my kids and their toys. I love having travel mugs that keep my tea warm long enough for me to get distracted, but still enjoy it heated. I love the simplicity of buying tubs of margarine and containers of bruschetta and pints of strawberries and bags of frozen shrimp and bottles of juice. I love storing things in see through bins or pages or bags. I love my telephone and computer and stereo… Yes, plastic is evil, but it’s also so very good.
6. Central Heating – it all comes down to genes and geography here. I was blessed with both poor circulation and low body fat content which essentially translates to me wearing sweaters year-round. Then there’s the fact that the weather in my city is known for being completely unpredictable and somewhat jerky. Bottom line – I can layer my clothes all I want, but nothing really beats turning on the furnace on a chilly fall day and being able to hang out in your home comfortably, as the wind and the cold play tag outside.
7. Indoor Plumbing – yeah. This kind of relates to #6… but it also includes the whole drinking-water-washing-dishes-doing-laundry-and-taking-a-luxurious-bath thing.
8. Electricity – listen, I’m as much of a sucker for romantic candle light as the next girl, but face it. On a cold winter’s night, when the power has gone out and you’re forced to play board games with your children by the light of burning beeswax, even that flattering glow isn’t enough to distract you from wondering exactly how long the food in the fridge has before it goes off (and how you’re going to cook it), or how you are going to hear the news to find out what exactly is going on (or recharge your phone), or how long it will be before the heat in your home dissipates (because although you may have natural gas, you have no fan to blow the heat it generates around) and you’ll have to leave to find someplace warm to be. Yes, we need to get better at finding ways to make it (c’mon solar power!!!), but how else would we have so many of the other awesome things on my list?
9. My Bed – seriously. And not just because I am ridiculously sleep deprived. It’s the most comfortable thing I have ever slept on. Years ago, when my husband and I purchased our first bed, we decided to get one made by a local company called Halstead Mattress Makers. We chose the most natural resources they offered, and the result was amazing. Whether I’m cuddling with my family on Sunday morning, finding comfort when I’m feeling under the weather, burrowing under the wool duvet on a cold winter’s night, or sprawling nekkid under a summer sunbeam, it is one of my favourite “soft places to land”. It makes coming home after a vacation something to look forward to.
10. My Body – easy, now. 😉 Yes, even I have issues with this shell I’ve been given… but on the whole, it does a darn fine job of giving the essence of “me” a home. With it I can see the beauty that surrounds me, I can feel the hugs and cuddles and sunbeams, I can taste the richness of my garden, I can hear the giggles of my children, I can smell the sweetness after a summer rain… I am grateful for my health and abilities and uniqueness. I will try to both take a bit better care of it and embrace the changes it shall undergo with time. It’s done some pretty amazing things so far…

And so. The next time you are being grateful for all of the good things in your life, why not take a moment to also appreciate life’s everyday luxuries that we are so lucky to have the privilege of enjoying.