Autumn Outings, Part 2 Derailed by Heather Bowles

This week, I was planning to discuss last week’s harvest themed shenanigans, including a trip to a pumpkin patch, and Tabitha’s first family get together, which included her first Halloween dress up. Instead, today, I find myself less focused on our local happenstances, and more concerned with the welfare of friends and their families up and down the eastern seaboard in regards to Hurricane Sandy. To name just a couple? I have one friend who lives alone in Pennsylvania with her elementary age daughter while her husband works out of state during the week. She gave alarmingly detailed Facebook blurbs as the scene unfolded there. Yet another friend, who is also very active on Facebook, lives in New Jersey. He fell off the grid until late yesterday. By the time his electric came back on and he wrote me back, I was contemplating sending out a broad spectrum message to his local friends and family to inquire about his welfare. 

Combined with the sad news of so many small children being taken from their families by the storm, it makes me grateful for our own small blessings here in Oklahoma. It is strikingly appropriate to me that I should feel such thankfulness for little things, being that it is November. In keeping with the focus of November’s holiday, I would like to share three things I am thankful for today:

1. The continued well being and happiness of my friends who were in the path of the storm last week. Your friendships are all extremely valuable to me, and I would not want to lose you. No matter what happens, what your political affiliation, or what your special circumstances, you are loved and cherished by someone here in the Heartland. Don’t ever forget it.
2. Every day spent with my own sweet daughter and husband, whom I am certain I would be miserable without. No matter how we struggle and how we may fight, I can’t imagine my life without you. Thank you both for being a part of my journey.
3. The opportunity to share the amazing experience new motherhood has been and continues to be, here on MotherhoodLater.com. Robin, you have my admiration, and I wish you every possible success. The same goes for all my fellow bloggers here. Your insights have been helpful in the most unexpected moments, and I thank you for sharing.

In closing, stay safe, stay happy, and remember your littlest blessings, mamas. See you next week!

Tags: family, friendship, gratitude, happiness, Hurricane Sandy, MotherhoodLater.com, robin gorman newman, Thanksgiving