I’m Thankful For Nasal Spray, Diet Coke And Other Luxuries
I’m Grateful, Thankful, Appreciative and Oh, So Glad!
A couple of weeks ago I had a bit of a cold–nothing bad, just the usual uncomfortable symptoms. I kept my nasal spray, tissue and ibuprofen handy. Yesterday I had lunch with Pete Palmer, a long-time friend who met me in Lakewood, about a forty five minute drive from here. Last night the house felt chilly and I turned up the thermostat and reprogrammed it to come on a bit earlier this morning. A few minutes ago I checked my email while sipping a Diet Coke.
Every day I experience reasons to be thankful, so I don’t need a special day to remind me. Nevertheless, I’m thankful there is a Thanksgiving Day that focuses my attention even more. I’m grateful for the privilege of living in this country and having so many freedoms I can take them for granted. I’m especially grateful for the everyday conveniences that make life easier and more enjoyable than the hardy settlers in Massachusetts ever experienced.
In centuries to come our lives may not seem so wonderous (or this might be viewed as the last of the good times for our world). But in matters related to comfort there is no question that we are far better off than those who came before us. 
If you ever have the chance to take your family to Plimoth Plantation, do it. I visited there in November some years ago and found it to be a hauntingly interesting experience. I felt the same way about visiting the Yorktown Settlement in Virginia, but Plimoth has more to experience and more of an interactive concept. (It is near Plymouth Center, which was the actual Plymouth Settlement site.)
As I wandered through the village, I thought that it must have been extra miserable to have suffered the various disorders that humans are prone to deal with–even those that are not life threatening most of the time: A stuffy head and nose, cramps, intestinal upsets, rashes, headaches, toothaches, shingles, sunburn, arthritis, corns and callouses, allergies and dozens of other things that make us feel badly, no matter how comfortable our surroundings.
So, during this week of Thanksgiving–originally a harvest festival–I am thankful for the bounty of creature comforts I enjoy every day.
Look around right now. You have a lot to be thankful for, don’t you?
I’m thankful for my family and my job. I’m also thankful for Mountain Dew and Cheetos. 🙂 Seriously, Tina, thank you for reminding me of how difficult the lives of those people must have been and how easy we have it. Happy Thanksgiving! D.
Comment by denisek | November 24, 2009
I went to Plimoth Plantation in 2007 and was really impressed at how well they stick to their roles. This brought back memories, because I thought some of the same things. I don’t mean to be gross, but I wondered how they would handle stomach flu, when it was bitter cold and they had no conveniences at all. Not good to think about!
Comment by Mike | November 24, 2009
Dear Tina, I’m thankful for you and your work. I sincerely feel that your life is going to be filled with even greater blessings in the future. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Comment by Don R, | November 25, 2009
Tina says: Thank you Denise, Mike and Don, for your comments and your (virtual) friendship! I sent each of you an email. T.
Comment by TLR | November 25, 2009
Thanks for taking a different approach to the topic. It made me stop and think about the ordinary things I am grateful for that my ancestors didn’t have. One is contacts and the other is sunscreen and sunglasses. Happy T-Day!
Comment by O-Town | November 25, 2009
Good thoughts, as usual. I’m thankful for all the things that make having a baby easier, and for all the things that keep babies and children healthy. And I’m very thankful for Splenda, since I started a diet about an hour ago! LOL!
Comment by J.K. | November 26, 2009