Posted in Holiday Joy, The Joy and Wisdom of Children

Neal’s Post from the Past: “Gratitude Turkey”

Here’s a post from over a decade ago, starring my young grandson (five at the time), Daniel.

I picked up Grandson Daniel (5) from school yesterday, and, hopping into his back seat, he excitedly showed me his just-completed Turkey Basket (well, that’s what he called it anyway). 

As I soon learned, the turkey project was two-fold: first the cute little construction paper turkey itself.  But as you can see in the pictures below, the front housed a nifty envelope (basket?) which held little gratitude or thanksgiving cards. 

For each note, Daniel and his classmates completed the statement “I am thankful for ____ because …” for their family members.

What a joy!  Little ones expressing their thankfulness so sincerely.  Below Daniel explains to me that his plan for Thanksgiving Day consists of waiting till “all the guests” have eaten “some of their turkey” and then “hand out the slips.” 

And he did just that–for all fourteen of the folks at the table.  His mom helped him with some of the spelling, but the sentiments were exclusively his.

Here’s mine:

“I am thankful for Abu (that’s me) because he helps with decorations.”

(Okay, maybe that sounds a bit strange, but the day before, we had decorated for Thanksgiving with some outdoor lights.  And a month earlier we had carved two jack o’ lanterns.)

What Thanksgiving Joy!  We really all do have so very much to put in our Turkey Baskets.

[For more on “Abu” see “My Favorite Word Is Abu!” post.]

Posted in Humor

“The Best Part!”

So when HR went to see the latest superhero movie today, I rushed over to Chick-fil-A for my first Holiday Peppermint Shake of the season.

Festive Yum!

But the terrifically decadent treat wasn’t even the best part. Oh no! No it was not!

Guess what was?

The folks at Chick-fil-A told me I was the BEST PART of TODAY!!! Me, the best part of their day!

See? Neal! Little me from Savannah, Georgia! Out of the thousands (millions?!) of people who ate at Chick-fil-A today!

Aren’t you proud of me?!

(I’m assuming it meant the world, and not just the United States.)

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 11/3/23

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. HR and me, having a neat little before-it-gets-cold picnic at nearby Forsyth Park here in Savannah.

2. And me becoming the official spokesperson for Lays.

3. Celebrating Day of the Dead at our church and at home.

Our friend Ruthie, who grew up in Mexico, explaining Dia de los Muertos.

4. Clean running water day after day after day.

5. Grandson Daniel and his actor bundies dressing up for Halloween as Taylor Swift’s Exes.

(D is Harry Styles.)

May you dress up as a Joyful You this weekend.

Posted in Holiday Joy

The Only Time

Grandsons Gabriel (13) and Daniel (16) — far too old to Easter egg hunt!

Ex-wife Donna and the grandchildren

Robert pretty unsuccessfully trying to get everyone ready for the photo above

“Okay, for this pic, surprise us with silly!”

Younger daughter Emily jumping in front of the cam and stealing the show …

And I hope you are having a Joyful Jumping Easter.