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Date: 11/18/2022
“I’ve just been so busy. I haven’t had time to slow down at all. Now it’s about to be the holidays, I have plans nearly every weekend in November and December, I’m overflowing with obligations, and a vacation smack-dab in the middle. Why on earth am I going on vacation during the holidays?” I groaned to a friend.
A few days later I was chatting with a coworker about how I felt shame that I was planning to bring a store-bought apple pie to a friendsgiving in a few weeks. I quite literally could not schedule time to make a pie to bring to this gathering, and I was feeling guilty about this, as I come from a make-it-from-scratch family, through and through.
Whoa now – let’s pause for a second.
I’m complaining about what? A schedule full of spending time with family and friends, a vacation, a lack of time thus leading to me buying pie?
Gross. Let’s have a little reality check here.
During both conversations, I did remark – “I know – what problems to have, right?” Despite how both of my comments may have read, I do have some self-awareness. But not enough, apparently.
For me, Thanksgiving – and the holidays in general – are about reflection, expressing gratitude, perhaps taking stock in the year and looking at what you’ve achieved.
So – I’m going to practice a bit of this here.
I’m thankful for the health and happiness of my family, and while we continue to mourn the loss of my grandfather – rather, as we called him, Pop – this year, I can rest easy knowing he is in a better place.
I’m thankful that I get to spend the holidays surrounded by friends and family from near and far – and that I get the opportunity to have many weekends celebrating the people in my life. Even if that means buying a pie instead of baking one from scratch – hey, at least I brought pie.
The fact that I get to take a vacation at all in this economy is something to be extremely thankful for.
This year has been so tough for so many financially, and frankly if it weren’t for the help of my significant other, I certainly couldn’t afford to take a trip. I know luxuries like this are extremely hard to come by these days – and I do not take that for granted.
I would be remiss if I didn’t share that I’m thankful for my dogs – our family German shepherd Scout, and the now one-year-old Belgian Malinois named Maverick we rescued this year. The amount of joy these two bring me every day is truly second-to-none. There’s nothing a puppy cuddle can’t fix.
I’m thankful for this job. This year was one of significant personal career growth, and I’m still pinching myself that I get to be the executive editor at this newspaper publisher. It’s an honor, truly. I’m also thankful for our reporting team and editors. Without any one of them, the wheels very quickly start to fall off the bus. Their efforts are priceless, and so is their banter. Our group chats via Microsoft Teams are a fun place to be.
And – while I’m still talking about the office – I’m also thankful for the entire Reminder team: sales, graphics, circulation, our business office. Thank you to them, for their tireless work.
Finally, I’m thankful for our readers and advertisers. Thank you for picking up our papers, for supporting our work and the businesses who are within these pages.
Our letters to the editor section is often filled with strong commentary – usually when a local is dissatisfied with a service, person or something else – but perhaps you might consider writing a letter to the editor to spread some cheer. Letters can be submitted to me at pnorth@thereminder.com or news@thereminder.com.
So – dare I ask – what are you thankful for?