Thanksgiving 2020 -- To Happiness, Health and Hope

Morristown Nov. 26, 2020

This year, Thanksgiving will be different. No doubt about it. As the rain comes down here in Morristown, I try not to lean into the dreary, drab and depressing feelings that come from a holiday weekend shadowed by COVID-19.

Instead, I look back at past photos and Thanksgiving blog posts about treasures found in 2019 or 2014. The faces, food and thoughts bring me back to a good place... a place I want to be. I begin to find the positive spirit that so often embodies this holiday for me.

Thanksgiving 2015

Each year, I give a Thanksgiving toast among our friends and family who join us. Nothing fancy or formal. Just a moment to capture the year. As I think about this unique year, three sentiments come to mind. Feelings that we need this year, more than ever.

In this year, I am thankful for three things:
-- Happiness. The smiles, laughs and warmth that come from ordinary moments like watching movies or videos with my kids,... calling old friends to re-connect and reminisce,... laughing and commiserating with co-workers on video calls,... enjoying peaceful walks in the park,... or chuckling at the antics of our dog and cats. Happiness comes in many shapes and sizes, not just the grand events and milestones. Look for it. Cherish it in every moment that you find it.

-- Health. With 260,000 deaths in the U.S. from COVID-19 and nearly 1.5 million deaths worldwide, we have never been more focused on -- or more appreciative of -- our health. We have realized collectively how many of us take good health for granted, especially in the U.S. We've also recognized how interconnected we all are, and how much we need to rely on each other, front-line medical workers and the sustainability of our healthcare systems. It's an appreciation and importance that should never wane after this pandemic.

-- Hope. It's about focusing on the selflessness, patience and kindness people have shown in these challenging times. The sacrifices that so many are willing to make and the generosity people have exhibited. It's the power of science and people to overcome any challenge. It's the belief we can overcome anything and tomorrow will be better.

So, that is my simple toast for Thanksgiving... wishing you and your families Happiness, Health and Hope as you celebrate this day. Stay safe, well and wonderful!

Thanksgiving -- A List of Unappreciated Treasures

No surprise that I got to thinking this week about what I am truly thankful for in my life. As Thanksgiving approaches, I have a lot blessings in my life -- great family and friends, wonderful wife and kids, health, good job, etc. These are not things that we should take for granted.  They are things we all appreciate and they top the list when I think about my annual Thanksgiving toast.

But then I thought about other things that I enjoy.  Oddities that go unnoticed or unappreciated.  The conveniences, the technologies, the little treasures that make me happy.  The truth is there are many things that we take for granted.  Here are my top five "unappreciated" treasures:

Cheerios -- They are simple, delicious and healthy,.  They can travel.  They are just as delectable when you are 2 years old as when you are 92 years old.  I will eat them dry for a quick snack in the car.  They will be my cereal of choice when I grab the complementary continental hotel breakfast.  Every Saturday morning, I will make a nice tall glass of chocolate milk (with Quik, of course), and fill my glass with Cheerios.  Perfection.  Cheerios, those whole grain oats have been around since 1941, and they are a simple and reliable pleasure that I always appreciate.  You can read their history here.

GPS and Google -- I am nostalgic about many things, but not driving directions.  Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Google, etc., are amazing. I have no sense of direction.  I once crossed the Tappan Zee Bridge three times because I couldn't figure which side I should be on to get home. I know, pathetic. When I was growing up, you would call the person or place you were visiting to request directions.  I remember painstakingly writing down directions, praying that there would be no more than 3 or 4 turns off the highway, knowing I would wind up lost.  My glove compartment had an envelope with every set of directions I had ever written.  From a road trip to Syracuse to my friend's house in Monmouth Beach.  Times change.  This year, I went to Spain  and found my way around Barcelona and Sitges using Google maps.  How wonderful is it that my kids will never have to squint their eyes and try to read directions placed on the center of their steering wheel, as they drive down a dark road by themselves.  I love this stuff.


 
Smiles -- Smiles are infectious happiness.  My wife smiling at me across our desk.  My kids smiling at me to see if they can get out of trouble.  A friend nodding and smiling at you across the aisle at church.  Or, even a stranger smiling and saying good morning as they hold a door open. A brief grin makes anyone feel a little bit better.  It makes you know things aren't so bad if you're having a tough day.  It challenges you to think about what is worth smiling about in your life. A smile gives you hope and makes you warm.

 

On-demand anything -- Life is busy and hectic.  So many things have to happen at a certain time.  Get the kids to school.  Make that conference call.  Be at that practice.  So much is beyond our control.  When I am ready to finally collapse on the couch, and I want to watch a show or a movie, I don't want to channel surf.  I appreciate being able to call up Scandal and blast through the commercials.  When I get on the treadmill on a Saturday morning, I don't want to watch the news, cartoons, etc.  I want to catch up on The Blacklist. When I was young you scheduled a lot of your life around the TV you watched. It's nice that one pleasure can now be scheduled around me.

Laughter -- I don't mean the polite chuckle.  I mean real laughter.  I mean milk out of your nose laughter.  I mean the way comedians Bobby Collins and Dom Irrera would leave me and my friend Mark with tears running down our cheeks at a comedy club.  I mean laughter like the first time you saw the movie Airplane! or heard Robin Williams go on a riff!  That kind of laughter releases endorphins, relieves stress and improves your health.


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So, those are just a few of the unappreciated treasures I am thankful for this year...  What are yours?