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Parents have much to be thankful for this holiday season
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Family friendly activity of the week: Washington Fire Company Children’s Christmas party, today, noon to 3 p.m. Come down to East Main Street in Mechanicsburg, where yesterday the Christmas tree lighting took place, to see Santa at the 94th annual children’s party.
‘Twas the week before Thanksgiving, and we sped through the house,
Getting everything cleaned up, me and my spouse.
Dirty rags were soon hung by the bathroom sink with care,
While our vacuum kept getting clogged with cat hair.
With relatives descending, we readied clean beds,
While visions of Grandma’s candy danced in our son’s head.
And I’d finally found a turkey recipe to make all say, “Oh snap,”
When I fixed my hand to my head with a great big clap.
The season shouldn’t be about cleaning, recipes or stress;
Instead, it’s about giving thanks for our loved ones and even our mess.
So as Thanksgiving approaches, here is my list,
Of all I’m thankful for (apologies for anything I missed):
I’m thankful for my parents and my husband’s parents, mostly for all their love over the years but also for their constant willingness to babysit our son, Eli.
I’m thankful for parenting magazines, which always reassure me that someone else is messing up worse than I am.
I’m thankful for “Grey’s Anatomy,” because sometimes parents need a break.
I’m thankful for “SpongeBob SquarePants,” because sometimes kids need a break.
I’m thankful for “The Backyardigans,” because sometimes parents need a break from “SpongeBob.”
I’m thankful for our babysitter, who is the only person in the world who can wear my son out.
I’m thankful for the Web site SeeMommy.run.com, which introduced me to my best friend, even though we rarely run any more.
I’m thankful for all the new friends Eli’s made at preschool, because I’ve become friends with many of their terrific moms.
I’m thankful for all my old friends from college and high school, who let me tell as many Eli stories as I want.
I’m thankful for Facebook, which lets me stay in touch with all these people. (I may be a writer, but I’m a notoriously bad correspondent.)
I’m thankful for, and perhaps a little resentful of, “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Brooke Burke, who proves you can look pretty fabulous after bearing four babies.
I’m thankful for my adorable 1-year-old nephew, who smiles at absolutely everything.
I’m thankful for chocolate milk, because my son takes such pleasure in it.
I’m thankful for Nestle’s for making sugar-free chocolate milk mix, so I don’t have to feel guilty about frequently serving it to him.
I’m thankful for Chick-Fil-A milkshakes, and if you’ve had one you don’t need me to explain.
I’m thankful for cups of hot tea, for making every day more enjoyable.
I’m thankful for my cat, even when she sits yowling outside our bedroom each night at 3 a.m.
I’m thankful for the safety of my friends and family, who are always in my thoughts.
And I’m thankful for my son, who frequently makes me laugh and always makes me think. I know every mom thinks her kid is the best … but really, mine is. My favorite part of being a parent has been observing the boy he grows into, one who’s passionate about sports, “Star Wars” and superheroes, but sensitive enough to ask a crying friend if he’s OK. I could not be prouder.
Finally, I’m thankful for my husband, whom I started dating 10 years ago this week. I love his passion for the St. Louis Cardinals, his commitment to fairness in everything he does, and his dry wit. He’s seen me at my best and, more frequently, my worst, and he loves me anyway. I could not have found a better partner. (Even so, dear, we’re still not naming the new baby “Pujols.”)
Toni Fitzgerald is the mother of one. She welcomes questions for future parenting columns about kids, families and staying sane in the presence of both. You can contact her at tonifitz@yahoo.com
