Breathe and Be Grateful

With a full belly, and piles of dishes to wash, look around you for a moment and take it in. Before you move on to the next thing, breathe in the moment.

Put out of your mind the things that didn’t go as expected today, the brother that’s always late, the teenager who is always last to the table holding up prayers, the weird potatoes and parsnips your Aunt Jane makes every year and everyone pretends to love. The chaos, the conversation, and the dull roar. The squeals of young cousins and feigned interest in football to give the guys something to do….

Breathe in the moment that you are surrounded by family, perhaps an imperfect one, maybe a crazy one, but family. Breathe in the thought that you arrived safely today, and will travel home safely this evening. Breathe in thankfulness that you were healthy enough to attend, along with other friends and family. Breathe in a smile of gratitude to be surrounded by family and friends.

Breathe in a prayer for those that weren’t as fortunate to have a good meal, or who weren’t surrounded by family. Breathe in a prayer for those who were alone, remembering and hearing only echoes of that noise. Breathe in a prayer for those that are ill or elderly, who can no longer travel or make that trip. Breathe in a prayer for those who didn’t arrive safely, or are no longer with us, and are dearly missed.

Take it in. Breathe in the moment. These moments are fleeting, they are a blessing.

Give thanks.