Counting My Blessings

By Michele Bazan Reed  |  bazanreed@hotmail.com

This Nov. 26, somewhere between the turkey and the pumpkin pie and well before anybody’s excused to go tune in the football game, Aunt Helen or Grandpa Bill or Cousin Mickey — will ask the assembled family, “What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?”

I don’t know about you, but I always get caught speechless.

Oh, I’m plenty thankful for all the blessings in my life. It’s just that teacher-staring-me-down-in-the-classroom feeling of being put on the spot in front of a tableful of relatives that freezes my brain.

So, to prepare myself for the big day, this year I decided to take the time to reflect on my life and some of the things I’m especially grateful for. Perhaps they’re some of the same things you’re thankful for, too.

Top of the list has to be the fact that I woke up this morning, something any of us older than 55 are thankful for.

My apartment is in a repurposed factory so the windows are huge. Because they face east, on a sunny day I awaken to the sun beating down straight into my eyes. Usually I grumble, pull the covers up over my head and wish for a cloud to give me a little more shut-eye and snuggle time with my cat, before I remember to be thankful for a beautiful morning and another day on this planet.

Speaking of my cat, I’m thankful every day for Charlie. He’s 16 years old and getting crankier by the day. It’s a toss-up whether he’ll let me pet him or try to bite my hand off, but he’s good company nonetheless. Many studies say adults older than 50 benefit from pets, which give emotional support, provide a sense of purpose and a chance for more exercise daily.

It’s a standard on lists like this, but true nevertheless. I’m thankful for my family. I’m fortunate to be able to talk with my son and daughter, Mike and Katie, every day and know they are always there for me. As are my wider circle of family and friends: in-laws, cousins, former workmates and club friends. Science tells us a good support system contributes physical and mental wellbeing as we age.

There’s a whiteboard on my kitchen wall and my late husband, Bill, wrote in black marker in all caps, “THANK GOD FOR ANOTHER DAY OF NO FALLING.” I’ll never erase it. I’ve had more than my share of broken bones and bruises so any day without incident is high on my personal gratitude list.

Those big east-facing windows of mine look right out on the Oswego River and canal. All I have to do is cross my parking lot to relax by staring at the sun sparkling off the ripples and listening to the waves and the cries of the seagulls. We’re so fortunate here in Central New York, with Lake Ontario and our other lakes, rivers and streams. They’re beautiful and relaxing and that’s enough to be thankful for, but there’s more: Studies have shown that people who live on or near water — even a backyard pond or fountain — have better mental health.

And how about the birds and the bees? The ones with wings that pollinate our plants and fill our skies with color and music. No matter how down I am on a given day, a snippet of birdsong can lift my spirits and make me thankful to be alive.

I grew up in a small town and I’ve lived in Oswego for more than 50 years. Every time I call my credit union, veterinarian or post office and I get a real person, who knows me by name and takes the time to listen to my problem, I thank my lucky stars I live in a small city. The people in Central New York are the friendliest around and we’re all fortunate to have the good neighbors we do.

When I count my blessings, I include the time I have every day to doodle, paint and try to make art. Nothing calms my mind and expands my soul like a few minutes of creativity every day. I’ll never be an accomplished artist, but the fun I get from pushing paint around on paper can’t be beat. Several articles in the press this summer cited studies that even a few minutes of drawing a day can add years to your life. And you don’t have to make art to benefit from it. Enjoying art, whether visiting museums, listening to music or reading literature can benefit your wellbeing, too.

I’m thankful for my memories and the fact that I still have them. It gives me joy to look back on a half century with my late husband, the home we built together, our children growing up and our retirement life in France, as well as a career in writing that I loved.

Speaking of my career, I’m blessed to have a chance at a second act, writing mystery fiction. The stories I’ve had published and the community I’ve found among fellow mystery writers has made my retirement years fuller than I ever expected.

And that brings me to the last item on this list. I’m thankful, dear readers, for you. For you and this 55 Plus magazine, which allows me to share my world with you.

With all the political division and AI slop out in the world, we’re lucky to have a local magazine, celebrating local people and places and written by local writers for local readers.

Have a wonderful holiday and don’t forget to count your blessings.