Another quiet day for me but I'm betting

most of you are busy-busy-busy. Some of you may be getting ready to travel and I wish you good luck and safe journey. Others are getting a tiny bit frantic about the cooking that must be organized and accomplished. And I don't doubt that there are a few that are viewing tomorrow with a tinge of trepidation. Ah, family!

Thus starts the season of forced good cheer, unnecessary stress and expense, the sturm und drang of social interaction that is usually avoided. I don't miss any of it. Been there, done that - whew - glad I don't have to do it any more. I'm sane now.

The other aspect of this season that puts me off is being beaten over the head with this concept of gratitude. The word makes me uncomfortable much like the word "forgiveness". And from my understanding of these words, not concepts I care to embrace - or can, for that matter. I find them demeaning. But if you look at synonyms for gratitude you find the word appreciation. Ah, now that is something I understand.

"Thank you" is probably one of my favorite phrases. I use it often during the day - whether to my husband or my cats or even to inanimate objects. Or to people who have written something that made me laugh, or think or validated some opinion or emotion. I don't guess y'all can hear my thank you's but they are being said.

Another synonym for grateful is thankful. Full of thanks, as it were. And I suppose I am but not as a supplicant. But rather as someone who appreciates, someone who is aware.

Words have dictionary meanings and connotations - connotations being the emotional meaning you associate with the word. I wonder how often you are aware that your idea of the meaning of a word is connotation?

At any rate, during this time when we are exhorted to express our gratitude, I shall instead express my appreciation...

For my entire life, the good and the bad, because it all made me who I am today and I'm pretty damn pleased with that. For all of you - my dear friends, my deepest appreciation for your support, your good thoughts, the love and the laughter - because, you know...