Open Thread

Open Thread Update: Thank You

By Virge Friday, December 1, 2023 10 Comments Share This:

Last time I shared an event that made me thankful – a small mishap that could have gone very, very wrong, but didn’t. Readers shared their own gratitude lists – and offered the most uplifting, feel-good set of comments, ever.

Reader Linda D. is grateful for her wonderfully loving and supportive family…

“I am grateful for a loving family who were concerned enough…to suggest multi-generational living and find a house to buy that is arranged to give me required privacy and personal space while still having the use of the entire home and the security of help nearby…”

Reader Lydia shared her gratitude for a very happy ending after her two sisters were hospitalized due to Covid – read her story in the comments.

Reader Norrie describes her triumph after years struggling as a single mother…

“…I own my own home and car, no debts. I can afford health care and food. I was able to retire. Things I never thought I could achieve 30 years ago….”

For Reader Amy, it’s the simple things….

“I am grateful for Spring – with its budding blossoms and lime green stubs of leaves.”

Need some inspiration? Readers Sharon and Shirley share their inspiring faith and optimism in the face of incredibly challenging circumstances – look for them in the comments!

Finally Reader Conceição offers a thanksgiving list that ends with a very powerful reminder...

“Can you count the millions of people who do not share these privileges? Do I have bad moments? Of course, plenty! But the good things in my life I do not take for granted…”

YOUR TURN:

Take a minute to read through all the comments and share what’s on your gratitude list and why. We’ll leave the comments open for a while – so write in and let us know what’s on your Gratitude List.

Original column:

I took a pretty bad fall on Lexington Avenue recently (and a big shout out to the two gals who helped me). I was certainly grateful for their help – otherwise I would have remained on my back, failing my arms and legs uselessly. Like some urban turtle.

But wait!

I realized later what a complete catastrophe it could have been. I could have broken one of my tiny wrists – I’d be unable to work, and unable to handle daily personal care and living. I could have broken a hip (and I live on the top floor of a walkup!)

Luckily I just got a bit banged up and sported a few dramatic looking bruises for a week or three.

But that got me thinking about Thanksgiving.

I’m grateful, of course, for my health and my family’s health, my apartment lease and my Senior Planet gig and colleagues. (Seriously it’s the best job I’ve ever had!)

I’m grateful for being able to use my writing talents in a way that is personally and societally satisfying. I’m grateful for all the people I love.

But after that fall, I realized that there are a host of other things in the background of life that I could also be thankful for…sometimes, if I only knew what they were.

I’m talking about the dodged bullets, the close shaves and narrow escapes, the lucky breaks and hidden blessings.

I’m grateful for the big stuff – and for the little stuff, too, like the two women who stopped what they were doing to help an older woman sprawled on the sidewalk, or the bus driver who waits while I cross the street waving frantically, and holds the door open a beat longer so I can board.

YOUR TURN

But that’s me – how about you? What are you thankful for this year – big or small, obvious or hidden? Let us know in the comments!

Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send Open Thread suggestions to editor@seniorplanet.org.

COMMENTS

10 responses to “Open Thread Update: Thank You”

Linda Doerfler:

Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 2:56pm

I am grateful for a loving family who were concerned enough about my future (I’m 77) to suggest multi-generational living and find a house to buy that is arranged to give me required privacy and personal space while still having the use of the entire home and the security of help nearby, if needed. I don’t hear them when they get up and prepare for work and they don’t hear me if I choose to stay up very late. Funds from the sale of my home are freed up so I have more financial security.

Reply to Linda Doerfler
Lydia Amoakohene:

Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 11:42am

Yes sometimes we forget who’s in charge of our lives till something happens to us. I have enjoyed your story.
In 2021 two of my sisters caught the coronavirus, a very severe case. They were hospitalized for several weeks. I am thankful that both of them made it. This year I traveled overseas to celebrate life with them. We had a great reunion because even though we talked on the phone every week, it was a blessing to talk to them face to face.
I am thankful for my siblings, a children .

Reply to Lydia Amoakohene
Sharon:

Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 10:12am

I am thankful for the abundant blessings God has bestowed upon our family. My step-father had terminal cancer and took his life earlier this year. He was the caregiver for my mother who was diagnosed with dementia. I thank God that he did not harm her. Thankful she is still with us. I am thankful for life, health and strength. I’m thankful that I have the opportunity to volunteer to serve others with my granddaughter. Thankful for family and friends and blessed to be a blessing to others.

Reply to Sharon
1. Virge:
  
  Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 10:42am
  
  Thank you for sharing such an inspiring, personal and powerful comment. I am sorry for your troubles and wish you and your family strength during this difficult time. Heaven’s blessings on you all.
  
  Reply to Virge
Conceição Brito:

Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 3:45am

Every day I thank the universe for the country I live in, small and peacefulI . I have my own home, I have food and water, my house has central heating. I am in very good health and my family lives near by, I see them often enough. Can you count the millions of people who do not share these privileges?
Do I have bad moments? Of course, plenty! But the good things in my life I do not take for granted, they could go away on the whim of a dictator or terrorist.

Reply to Conceição Brito
Norrie Nakawatase:

Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 11:38pm

As a single mom I struggled for years to keep a roof over our heads and provide for my son. Today, even in these harsh economics times, I own my own home and car, no debts. I can afford health care and food. I was able to retire. Things I never thought I could achieve 30 years ago. I am extremely grateful to be so blessed everyday.

Reply to Norrie Nakawatase
Amy B Wallace:

Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 9:23pm

I am grateful for Spring – with its budding blossoms and lime green stubs of leaves.

Reply to Amy B Wallace
PDIANN Gautney:

Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 9:11pm

Thankful right now in November 2023 that I’ve got my Mom’s savings that she left for me all invested, and it won’t be all used up by foolish spending by me. Mom passed in December 2022.

Reply to PDIANN Gautney
Shirley Keys:

Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 7:55pm

I am thankful to God for waking up every morning, I have Glaucoma, COPD and I am a three-time cancer survivor. I’m 73 and love to travel even with my severe arthritis, as I like to say your circumstances do not define you.

Reply to Shirley Keys
1. Claudia:
  
  Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 9:18am
  
  Shirley , You are such an inspiration. Thanks for your uplifting thoughts.
  
  Reply to Claudia