Nov-25, 2019 – 503
This thanksgiving week. We reflect on the word “Thanks”. There are a million and one thing to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day. I can be thankful of the weeklong holiday from busing Matthew and John to school, that is certainly a plus. 🙂 What else is there to be thankful for this week?
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated every last Thursday of November. Let me not deal with the history of the Pilgrims and the first harvest, although if you really care, hop in to the wiki.
We observed Papa/Angkong’s third anniversary on Nov 21 with simple dinner of Pinoy chorizo, Korean bulgogi and Jojo’s spaghetti at Palm with 505 family . Looking back 3 years ago on Nov-21, I am thankful that Papa’s passing happened during the Thanksgiving week in 2016. I recall seeing our families all together with and friends from all over made Papa’s passing less painful. At one point, I thought then, that the Thanksgiving week of 2016 was a good blessing to the family — after seeing Papa’s pain and suffering from lung cancer for many months. God blessed Papa with a peaceful passing and finally joining the Lord.
So what are we thankful? – 503
- Happy and healthy with the family, 24 hours a day. Simple life that is just enough.
- Being able to drive 6+ hours through the 101-N and CA-1 N traffic on a 222 miles stretch and arriving just in time to checked-in at Ascot Suites in Morro Bay. (Arriving with the front door locked and the sign says 9 pm Close.)
- Nice overly expensive seafoods dinner at the Morro Bay Fisherman’s Row
- Nice FREE warm breakfast at the Ascot Suites
- A leisurely drive home to test our patience with a 6+ hours drive back to Arcadia with our tiny Prius filled to the roof with Bags, Plants, Pots.
So what am I thankful for? – John
- I am thankful for Papa and Mama
- Papa for cooking noodles for me on Saturday night when I was so hungry.
- For Mama not buying too many plants on the way coming home from Morro Bay
Morro Rock 
At the Ascot Suites 
At the Noi’s Baywood Park
On the way back from Morro Bay in the morning of Nov-24, I thought about the word “Thankful” again. What really should I be thankful for?
- I am 12 years overdue for colonoscopy. 3 weeks ago I took this and was given a clean slate.
- 2 weeks ago, I had biosy procedure performed. In all, Dr Chin took 12 tissue spots. And thanks God! All clean!
What more can I ask for? Things that money cannot buy but are given freely by Almighty God. Indeed, what more can I ask for?
Driving through the slow ‘stop and go’ traffic that morning along Santa Barbara, I started grumbling again, and I heard 113 saying “just enjoy the drive ok?” And John John added, “Yeah Papa“. As natural as it was for me, I immediately shot back, “it is me driving, not you! Ok?”. Oh my! I really need a lot to learn in the “thankful department.” Instead of complaining about the ‘stop and go’ traffic, why not say thank you for the safer-drive due to slow traffic? I seriously need to learn.
Arriving home at a little past 2 in the afternoon. was I really thankful? Yes, Matthew and John took care of unloading the overloaded Prius full of dusty pots, smelly plants, succulents, soil, heavy suitcases, and empty water bottles. As I ‘cheerfully’ proceeded to start doing my official duty at the laundry room! 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving weekend!
