GIVING THANKS

GIVING THANKS

Today is about being grateful for what we have.

It's interesting how over time, a national holiday can gradually evolve into a personal one. Take this one we celebrate today. A national holiday that was originally set aside to mark a historical event important in the life of this country - namely a feast thrown by the first group of immigrants to give thanks for their safe arrival and having survived in the New World - serves what is arguably a more valuable purpose: It allows each of us, to take a moment out of our busy lives and bow our heads and give thanks for our blessings. Whether those blessing are big and small, this is the time to acknowledge and appreciate them.

Personally. This is the second year...simply acknowledging how lucky we are to have Kai in our lives.

I won't see him til Monday. This will give me the chance to finish the Christmas lanterns (parols) for the dance group. Also it might give me a chance to go to my studio and pick-up a few things. This will also be a respite from hearing "UMPHA" a hundred times! He is so active that every move he makes must be monitored..If is is quiet, I have to look what he is doing. There are times that he will wander to the bedroom and look for umma or inspect the plastic bag that hangs on the door knob. He knows that there is something there to nibble. I think he will be a "chocoholic" like me. He loves those small "halloween" chocolate eggs. The thing is that he is never a pig about it. A couple of bites will satisfy him, and he will even share them with me. He knows where all his favorite snacks are stored. We have a cupboard that is a bit high for him to reach, but he can open the doors...that is where the pudding and jello are stored, so he calls for help. Who else to the rescue? Umpha of course! As far as regular eating, he love rice, fish and shrimp and of course noodles. He eats oranges and guava and once in a while will eat prepared fruits from the jar.

I think he is resigned to the fact that when Mommie or Daddy arrive and have finished their lunch, it is time to get "yedi" (ready) to go home...that is if he is in the right mood. But before going home he has to gather some of his favorite toys of the day. Cars are still his passion. He carries with him everyday a frog backpack loaded with some of his favorites. He knows that this is the time to say "bye..bye Umpha," "see you yeter" (later).