With a Grateful Heart

Outside my garden gate.

 

Thanksgiving  2010 is history, a memory, an event that will never take place again.

Each month when I change out the calendar in my classroom I tell my children we will never see that particular month again.  I explain the month will come around again next year, but it will not be the same.  "It will not be 2010.  You will be older, you will be taller.  Look out the window.  The weather will probably be different.  You will be in a different classroom.  Each day changes us just a little and  prepares us for tomorrow."   Usually they get very quiet and look at me with wide eyes.  I am not trying to teach anything, only introducing a concept (one I've been thinking a lot about lately).  And, it is a great way to get everyone's attention. 

We spent our Thanksgiving with Heather and Kyle in St. Louis.  I reveled in and absorbed every minute of it.  I walked with snow falling on Thanksgiving day.  I became addicted to the game  Banangrams (I love words).  I ate way too much, and I talked and laughed more than my fair share.    I am most content when I am with my family, and I was most content.   Now, Thanksgiving 2010 is a memory locked within my grateful heart.   

Thanksgiving day snow in St. Louis

Just as I tell my children after we have changed the month and counted our first day,  "Now, let's take out our crayons, go to the table, and prepare for tomorrow", it is time for me to take out my "crayons"  and prepare for Christmas and more memories.