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Why We Should Be Thankful For Everything, All The Time

By Catherine Toth Fox • November 23, 2018 • #BabyFox, Musings, The Daily Dish

Spending Thanksgiving morning in the ER really makes you think about what you should be thankful for.

It’s been a tough year. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had my own cancer scares. I found out I couldn’t (likely) have any more children. I got an ulcer and had to stop drinking Diet Coke. (Yes, I know, it’s a good thing, but not when you love it as much as I do.)

I look back on this year and remember when I had such lofty goals in January. I would surf more, work less, maybe finally lose that baby weight! But that hasn’t really happened. I watched more reality TV than surfed. I took on a second job. And I’m about ready to give the baby weight a name.

There’s a lot not to be thankful for right now. California wildfires, climate change, the fact that some people have access to Twitter and really shouldn’t.

And I have to admit, lately I’ve wanted more than I already have, feeling unaccomplished or lost or worried that I’m missing out.

It may be cliche to think about what we’re thankful for on, of all holidays, Thanksgiving. It may even seem forced, having to tell a room full of family and friends what you’re grateful for this year. You start rattling off the obvious answers: good health, family, friends, jobs, extended credit limits before Black Friday. And yes, these are all things we should be grateful for — if you have them. But what if you don’t? Or what if these things aren’t in the best condition right now? What if you haven’t talked to your sister in decades or you hate your job? What if you don’t have your mom this year? What if you’re suffering from something — arthritis, lupus, cancer, a broken heart? What then?

It’s always the hardest to search for something to be grateful for while you’re searching for something else. An answer, a sign, a prayer, a glimmer of hope or light in the darkness. But that’s precisely when we need it most.

As I sat in the ER yesterday, there because my 2-year-old hasn’t stopped coughing for weeks and it had gotten particularly bad that morning, I was stressed and frustrated and worried — not thankful. My heart was racing. I had so much to do back home! I had food to cook, a house to clean, dogs to walk. I didn’t have time for this!

But I looked at my son, his throat strained from coughing all night and his runny nose red and raw from rubbing, sitting so nicely on the hospital bed, coloring in his drawing book and singing a song about peanut butter. This kid had every reason to cry and scream and complain — and he didn’t.

I may not have lost those lingering eight pounds or published a novel or saved enough money to upgrade from my iPhone 6s. But it felt good to think about what I have done, what I do have — and be grateful for that.

Sometimes it’s an accomplishment just getting out of bed on days when I’d rather sleep in.

My kid is healthy and adorable. My dogs are happy and content. My friends are awesome. I love my little family. I can walk to work. I live in a place where I can surf or hike before heading to the office. I have giant picture windows in the living room that open to a blue sky. I can still fit my pre-pregnancy clothes. (Good thing I like stretch fabric.) My gym membership is just $40 a year. (I got in early.) I have a new and bigger fridge. (That’s huge!) My car, phone, Internet, cable and microwave all work. For now, anyway.

So what, exactly, am I thankful for this year?

That there’s so much to be thankful for, now and always.

***

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Can you believe it’s almost Christmas? GAH!

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About the Author

Catherine Toth Fox

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6 Comments

  • Reply Melvin Lum November 23, 2018 at 2:06 pm

    Hi Cat,
    I’m thankful for Jesus who died for my sins, thankful for my wife, my kids, my family, my health, my job, my home, food on the table and my friends. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

  • Reply M November 23, 2018 at 2:08 pm

    Hello Cat,
    I’m thankful for Jesus who died for my sins, thankful for my wife, my kids, my family, my health, my job, my home, food on the table and my friends. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

  • Reply scrivener November 23, 2018 at 4:10 pm

    You can still write the novel. <3

  • Reply Caro November 23, 2018 at 5:47 pm

    Love your post. Keep doing you. Happy holidays and hug the little fox tight!

  • Reply Hank Chapin November 25, 2018 at 4:38 pm

    Hello, I wrote a long, thoughtful, empathetic reply, but I have not seen it.

  • Reply Lois December 5, 2018 at 4:59 pm

    We don’t leave grateful comments for you, so you have no way of knowing, but I think your writings are helpful and, yes, even inspirational to many people. I am one such reader, and I just want to let you know how thankful I am for your willingness to share your joys and challenges. May God bless you and your family, especially your mom, in the coming year!

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About Me

About Me
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi, Catherine Toth Fox has been chronicling her adventures in her blog, The Cat Dish, for more than a decade. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Hawai‘i for 10 years and continues to freelance—in between teaching journalism, hitting the surf and eating everything in sight—for national and local print and online publications. She’s currently the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

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