Save Yourself

OK, I usually don't enjoy Suze Orman, but I just caught a brief part of a show of hers and I gotta say this was brilliant. She was talking about how women put so much into their families and save nothing for themselves. I think we all know this but then she used an excellent example. This behavior is so pervasive, that when we get on planes they have to make sure to remind us, that in case of emergency to put our air mask on first. Because they know our first instinct would be to put the air mask on the kid first, and possible pass out before we get ours on. This is such a great image, because we know in that situation we need to save ourselves so we can protect our child.

We all have to remember to save ourselves every day so we can keep our families safe or at least healthy and happy. Like Oprah says put yourself back on your list ladies. Go get a pedicure, read a book, get some exercise. I just wanted to share that. I thought it was such a great image to keep in our heads. Oh and I'm sure Suze wants you to ask for a raise and save money or something. I turned the TV off after the airplane analogy, so I don't know any of the financial info.

Count down to Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving. I know we don’t get gifts and there’s no candy associated with it, but I just love it. I love the delegation of cooking duties, and the cooking frenzy that follows. I love the unapologetic plethora of desserts (My Uncles brother brings the biggest plate of baklava you’ve ever seen). I love that Thanksgiving has no religious affiliation, so it’s good for everyone, with the possible exception of American Indians. My family is a religiously diverse group. We have Jews, Muslims, Catholics, and Christians; mostly nonpracticing, this is the one holiday that is all inclusive, we can all be thankful for our blessings. But mostly, I like that we sit down with our family and are grateful for each other.
In my family my Uncle gives a short speech before we eat. (It’s his house and he is the oldest male, patriarchy is alive and well.) In it he usually list things, as a family, we are grateful for, marriages, babies, graduations. It is a great feeling to be in the speech. I loved it when my husband was welcomed to the family in the speech and years later when my daughter was. He usually says something about the family members who have passed, and in that way they are there with us. I feel so connect in these moments, knowing I am part of a tribe.
After all the leftovers have been pack away and the last piece of baklava devoured, we return to our lives. Knowing that we are loved and, if not understood, at least excepted by this clan. For me Thanksgiving is about family, in all it’s variations, I can’t think of anything to be more grateful for.

I've included a picture of my daughters first thanksgiving with my grandmother (age 100) at her last.