Friday evening, we went to the Fantasy Of Lights parade in Howell. I haven't been in many years. It was a lovely parade but very poorly organized. Only one Port-A-Potty in sight and no traffic control at all, although there were over 30,000 people in this small downtown and it wasn't like that should have been a surprise to the organizers. It also seemed like there were a lot fewer floats than I remember, probably due to the bad economy here. It's got to be expensive to put out a float with all the lights. NOTE: I have pictures but I have to find the damn cord to the camera.
The best part was that we got to meet up with my friend Tammy and her husband Sam. I've known Tammy since middle school, I think. Regardless of the longevity, we had fun ridiculing people (teen-age girl wearing winter coat, scarf and hat with flip-flops for example) and truly, the parade is very festive and almost makes my shriveled little Grinch like heart sing.
Last night, Tammy came over and hung out with us and we talked, oh my, we talked so long and it was just so great. She brought wine, too, which is always a bonus but just such a simple thing, an old friend coming over to hang out and eat leftover Thanksgiving appetizers was so much fun.
During this holiday season, which always is so hard for me since my mom died the day after Thanksgiving seven years ago, which always rattles around in the back of my head this time of year, I took great pleasure in the simple fact that a friend came to visit.
I haven't been able to celebrate Thanksgiving in the spirit of "Yay, the Pilgrims came to this country, kicked away the people who lived here and bumble fucked their way into becoming America" for many years. I'm a third generation immigrant and that just doesn't apply to me. The Pilgrims were just really bad guests and the Native Americans were awfully generous in sharing a meal with them, since the Pilgrims were nearly starving to death at that point.
Anyway.
I am thankful that I have people in my life who love me. I am thankful that I have people in my life that I love. I am thankful that although I don't agree with many things my government does, I am allowed to voice that opinion freely. I am thankful that I have friends and appreciate the simple little things like enjoying an evening with a friend.
Like my friend Rose used to always say, it's the little things.
we had fun ridiculing people (teen-age girl wearing winter coat, scarf and hat with flip-flops for example)
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That really made me giggle, Lisa. I'd be the one out there wearing sparkly sandals and NO winter coat, but I'd be sporting that gorgeous electric blue scarf you knitted for me.
It's the little things, after all.
Posted by: Nadine | November 27, 2006 at 04:34 PM
Well said, Lisa---I agree with everything you just wrote (Pilgrims, Indians, 'it's the little things', etc.) and managed to put so succinctly, as always.
Hope it wasn't too hard this Thanksgiving with the reminders of your mother and all. It's really hard not to have the ones we love with us anymore. I was thinking of you, Martin, Mia and Dex and wishing you all love from here.
Posted by: Michelle | November 28, 2006 at 04:07 PM
The little things in life are the important things. Like Mia smiling at me. Or the way she repeats everythng I say to her as though she is storing the information for later use.
A trip to Kentucky, a cell phone that keeps me in touch with the people back here. A phone call from my granddaughter that tells me she still remembers me. A Christmas Carole sang well. The lights on my Christmas tree.
A friend calling me just to say hello. A meal cooked by someone else. Diet Rite cola, ice cream, a good salad. Christmas morning and Christmas Eve night (in the order). A warm fireplace burning bright. Soft music---good rock n roll. Doo Wap music. Comedies or disaster movies--comedies to make me laugh and disasters to remind me that there are "others" out there with worse problems than mine.
People like you Lisa and Martin who make me feel so at home in your new house and my old house. LOL.
Keep remembering that we ALL have big things in life that hit us in the face but we have a ton of little things that really add up to alot to be grateful for.
Love you guys!
Posted by: Beth | November 28, 2006 at 04:32 PM
I'm thankful you didn't recognize it was me in those flip flops (just kidding). One of the things I'm grateful for is that there are people out there who have seen my kindergarden picture and still admit to knowing me. I'm grateful that the horrible losses I've suffered in the past two years haven't killed me. I'm grateful that my parents raised me strong enough to be able to laugh and live in this world. I'm grateful every day that my socks match and I'm grateful every night that I have toothpaste to brush with. I'm grateful tonight that my Christmas tree is up and glowing, making me smile and think warm fuzzy thoughts of all of the jackasses that have pissed me off today. ~grins~ Chin up, Lisa ... the holidays hurt - but they can hurt in a good way, too.
Posted by: kristi | November 28, 2006 at 09:13 PM