Thanks-living 2015, Week One

Day 1
This Thanks-living Month, I will first take time to be thankful for simple things. This is probably a petty thing for which to be thankful, but each morning I awaken to my frisky and only Pet Lydia. He’s not lung-deflating Felix the Cat, nor tick-taxi Fido the Dog, nor hurrying hamster, nor rabbit rabbit rabbit. In a particular way, He jumps with excitement for his one-time-a-day portion of food. He is as friendly as can be. I am needed by, and special to, him. Why is he labeled as a pet when I can’t pet him? Because my luminous blue Betta Fish was purchased at a pet store.

Day 2
My regular dental check-ups are always filled with uncertainty about potential cavities, or the need for another pricey crown, or gum recession; but, after today's visit  there is much to be thankful for. Good news of no cavities, gums are stable, AND my insurance company finally agreed, after a lengthy debate, to cover their portion of a crown bill. The dental hygienist called the forever insurance wait a crown payment's "ON-&-ON-A-THON."

Day 3
A quote from our subdivision's meeting last night: "Living in community with others can also be the definition of a prison. It is when you move past that, to caring about each other, that makes a unique difference."
It's the natural, Pay it Forward reaction to kindnesses. Like, rather than complaining about the neighbor's large storage vehicle parked in front of their house on the road, offer your larger driveway for temporary parking until the next month, when they planned to drop it off in another state. Or, letting your neighbor know they have a package in their box so it won't sit there overnight. Or, offering your garbage can space to the new neighbor moving in who will probably need extra trash can space for a few weeks.
This third day of Thanks-living posts, the caring community attitude comes to mind. Living out these ideals might just catch on and spread in our most cozy little corner of the world.

Day 4
"Hebrew Word Study: Be Still – Raphah. Tehillim (Psalms) 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am G-d; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Here, the Hebrew verb, raphah (רָפָה), is often translated “be still”, or “stop striving.” But, as ever with English translations (as good and valuable as they are), they can never quite communicate the depth and subtlety of the original language.
This Hebrew word means to slacken off, to leave alone, to become weak and even to fail. Interestingly, it comes from the same root as the Hebrew for “doctor” (rophe), which is rapha (רָפָא) - to cure, cause to heal, repair or to make whole.
So by understanding Hebrew better, we can see that G-d is saying “relax, be weak, stop” so that you can have some time out to recover, rest and repair. But to what end..?
So that we can “know that He is G-d”, and this is not knowing in our intellect, but rather יָדַע – knowing by intimate experience and informed acquaintance.
When we become less, we can get really personal with the Creator of the Universe and witness Him at work." (Shorashim Ministries)
For Thanks-living, I Let It Go, and Let It Be, at least for today. Now, for some dark chocolate, purchased yesterday at Walgreens on Senior Day. Delish!

Day 5
Throwback Thursday, 1985: I am glad that the only snowman or snow we have in Springfield this 5th day of Thanks-living is pictured to the right, with my most favorite people. Through the ups and particular painful downs of life, they are the reason I live, and, they are 3 of my reasons for living.

Day 6
Needle-phobic and squeamish ones, beware. I did it! My first-ever flu shot was braved yesterday! Neuroses about side-effects stopped me in years past, but for the sake of my precious grand-kiddos, anything. Today, all is well after a good night's sleep, except that, for some odd reason, I dreamed about killing squirmy spiders. I experienced four Thanks-living perks: The shot was done by a most skilled, informative, 1960s Dr. Kildare-like pharmacist with zero needle-entry pain; it will hopefully keep the flu at bay this Thanksgiving; the insurance company paid for the preventive measure; and, I gratefully accepted 3,000 Walgreens bonus points, for little discomfort. A win/win/win/win. Now, to convince Jeff to take one for the Gipper.

Day 7
Before yesterday’s outdoor exercise, I hurriedly and only briefly checked the bike’s tire pressure and decided it was fine. That was incorrect. Both tires were on the low side. So, for the entire ride, the uphill climbs required extra pedal-power. And the downhill glides were unimpressive and close to worrisome. On one hand I was bummed. But, on the other hand, at least the tires didn’t go flat; no road-kill was alongside the road stretch; my new, startle-proof, heads-up handlebar ringer, used for the first time, was appreciated by a walking couple that I approached from behind and then safely notified them, “Passing on your left”; I was pushed in the area of perseverance; and, maybe leg-strength was improved on that gorgeous thanks-living ride.