What? I know y’all can’t wait for 2020 to be over and might fight it hard to cite anything to be thankful about, but with Thanksgiving coming up and it being a tradition and all, I do have a few things to be thankful for. Granted, 2020 has been a tough year for many people with the pandemic. It certainly won’t be one of those years we will easily forget.
The start of 2020 came with great promise for my wife and me because this was the year I retired. With retirement came the chance to once again live fulltime with my wife, something that hadn’t occurred for almost half of the nearly sixteen years we’ve been together. I’ve adapted quite nicely to retirement and even though plans to travel overseas were cancelled, we will have spent six weeks in Mexico, lounging on the beach and drinking too much, by the end of the year.
Other things notable that I am thankful for in 2020 include, the American people’s voices were finally heard and over half the country voted decisively to replace Donald J. Trump and make him a one term president. Eighty million people expelled a collective sigh of relief when the news came down on November 7th. I’m also thankful for my wife and my continued good health, enough for us to have taken a long five week journey in our RV this year. So…2020 hasn’t been all bad for us.
Several years ago because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I wrote a short story with the characters in the Asset Management series that can be stand alone story, even if you haven’t read the series. I’d like to share the traditional what I’m thankful for scene, because that is one of my favorite things about Thanksgiving…forcing us to look at the things in our life that are good.
After Ralph finished carving the turkey, he sat down and directed, “Everyone please join hands for the McFarland Thanksgiving tradition. Dani, will you do the honors of starting us off, and please share with everyone one thing you are thankful for?”
Dani smiled. “I’m thankful for being able to experience a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with an actual home cooked turkey for the first time ever. It’s so exciting to be a part of this.”
It broke Char’s heart to hear that confession. She felt like she should have tried harder to give her younger sister this simple gift. A normal childhood had evaded them both.
Joan wiped a tear that easily escaped from her eye.
Candy looked at Dani. “I’m thankful for meeting such a beautiful, intelligent, warm-hearted woman who takes my breath away every time I look at her.”
Several of the women murmured, “Aw.”
“I’m thankful Aunt Char and Aunt Toni are here too because mom and dad suck at video games, and I’m tired of playing with those weenies,” Brendon smirked.
Tracy glared at her son.
“I’m thankful that Brendon is such a moron, and got mom’s bug eyes instead of me,” Jacob said. Jacob and Brendon fist bumped, earning another scowl from Tracy.
“I’m thankful that Char and Toni came today because you two are on twin duty when we finish this meal. I’m getting cross-eyed playing those damn video games,” Karl exclaimed.
“Twenty-five cents, Dad,” the twins declared.
“I’m thankful that Karl had a vasectomy last year because two more like you would most definitely send me to the funny farm,” Tracy deadpanned.
Karen shook her head and frowned. “You have absolutely no filter, Tracy. I’m thankful I didn’t have to cook today. Thanks, Mom,” Karen pronounced.
“Yeah, I second that—you know, that Karen didn’t cook,” Peter teased.
Karen released her husband’s hand and backhanded him in the chest before clasping it again.
“I’m thankful that Kim finally told me how she felt. I love you to pieces.” Sophie kissed Kim on the cheek.
“I’m thankful that this big lug shows her mushy side to me. Yes, Toni, she has a soft side.” Kim glanced at Sophie. “I love you more.”
“Ew, mushy love talk,” the twins cried out.
“I’m thankful that Cindy is there to patch my lame ass every time I uh…do some extreme sport or something and hurt myself.” Ronda grinned.
“Twenty-five cents, twenty-five cents,” the twins chimed in.
“I’m thankful that Ronda eventually capitulated to my expert advice on what to do to heal faster and for finally noticing me,” Cindy added.
“Oh, I noticed you long before I made my move,” Ronda clarified.
Cindy laid her head on Ronda’s shoulder for a couple of seconds before turning back to the group.
“I’m thankful to be surrounded by so many beautiful women and to learn more about those video games from my grandsons.” Ralph winked.
“I’m thankful that Char came into Toni’s life and gave me renewed hope for more grandchildren.” Joan grinned and looked so much like Toni that Char had to smile back at her.
Char thought that if Toni aged similarly to her mother, she would remain a very beautiful woman well into her mature years.
Toni’s eyes got wide and she groaned.
Char nudged Toni, and she began reciting her thanks. “I’m thankful that Char appreciates my idiosyncrasies, especially when it comes to tinkering with projects in the middle of the night.”
Char stood up and dropped to the floor on one knee. She pulled out a small ring box from her pocket. “Toni, I never thought I would find a perfect match for me. A wise woman once told me, never say never. She reminded me of that very recently.” Char shot Toni a meaningful look and continued, “I am so thankful our paths crossed, and I was able to worm my way into your heart. Please give me one more reason to be thankful today by agreeing to be my wife.”
“Well, hot damn. It’s about time you made an honest woman of me. I was getting tired of living in sin. Besides, we better do this quick before that asshole heading to the White House turns back time. I want to be legal, even if it only lasts a nanosecond. You betcha, let’s get hitched,” Toni exclaimed.
Char noted Tracy giving her boys a sharp look, and she suspected that was the only reason they hadn’t shouted out the swearing fine again. When Char looked into Toni’s eyes, she paused as she scrutinized her reaction to the proposal. It wasn’t that Toni’s somewhat flippant response bothered her—that was Toni. Something told her this proposal was anything but a surprise and that pissed her off. She would get to the bottom of that when they were alone.
I hope all of you have something to be thankful for this year. If you want to read the whole short story, feel free to click the link below. It happens to be on Kindle Unlimited as well. Also feel free to check out my other books!
On Kindle Unlimited!
- Love Forever Live Forever
- Artist Free Zone
- The Thanksgiving Baby Caper
- The Book Addict
- The Book Witch
- Compound Interest – Lesfic Bard Action/Adventure Finalist
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Annette Mori 
So, two things:
1. People keep talking about 2020 as if when we get to 1/1/2021, all that shit will be done with. So untrue…… 2021 may wind up being even worse. Except, of course, if it is in the U.S., it won’t be because we have a president who doesn’t care about anybody but himself. And that is huge!
2. I love the short story! Such love and sarcasm!
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I sure hope 2021 is not worse….and thanks on the note about the short story!
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