Kindness of Strangers

Last night I tried to get the fam to reflect on what they were thankful. Here's how the conversation went.

Me: "I think we should all share something we are thankful for."

Molly: "We already did that."

Colin: "Yeah, we already did that."

Molly: "Stop copying me. Okay, I'll do it."

Colin: "Okay, I'll do it."

Molly: "I'm thankful for the earth and my family and friends and the trees."

Colin: "I'm thankful for cheese."

Molly: "I said trees, not cheese."

Dave: "Yeast."

Me: "Yeast?"

Dave: "Yes, yeast. All of the good things require yeast...beer, bread, wine."

Colin: "I'm thankful for my cousins....chrisnhoney (aka Chris and Honey, aka Chris and Jen). I love my cousins.

So then my heart was melting so I never did get around to say anything.

But in case you are wondering, I am thankful for strangers. The woman who called me from Pittsburgh to let me know I accidently sent a card with a check in it to her house instead of my aunt's house. She was so concerned she wanted to send it back registered mail. What a wonderful woman. We spoke for 20 minutes on the phone. Her kindness made up for all of the rudeness I experienced on Black Friday. There is still kindness in this world.

Give Thanks

Why is it that we publically pause to give thanks so rarely? I've been struck by all of the Facebook posts of people stating for what they are thankful...some are heartfelt, some are funny, some just bizarre. It got me thinking that although I pause to give thanks for the major things in my life: husband, kids, family, health, roof over our heads and food on our table, I fail to recognize many of the things that touch my life daily. Thus, I am starting a new blog...that and the fact that I totally slacked on the other blog. My goal is to update you on the world of the CNY Atkinson family by sharing those things for which we are grateful

Today, we give thanks for Dave. Yes, that is a big thing and a given but it is his birthday so we need to give him his cred. I am thankful for his sense of humor, ability to get along with everyone and anyone, his knack for always rooting for the underdog (good thing we moved to Syracuse), his superior intelligence, his great hair and his jazz hands.

Happy Birthday, Davey!