Life Inspires Me

Thanksgiving’s a time to be thankful… I have so much to be thankful for. I have done a lot of self reflection leading up to this holiday… What am I thankful for??? Such a simple question, yet I drew a blank till these past few weeks. The holiday is only a reminder of being thankful, but every morning we wake up we should be grateful for all we have. We lose sight of such simple things because we get caught up in life. We take for granted having a roof over our head, warm beds to sleep in, and a computer to surf the web, and sometimes the special moments we share with loved ones.

I learned a special lesson early in the week that made me appreciate my family that much more. I was looking at spending Thanksgiving alone in Chicago. Yup, alone in my friend’s apartment with a book, some sushi, and a bottle of wine… this didn’t sound appealing to me. I wanted to be home with my family.

Let’s back track early Tuesday morning (4am), my friend’s whom I was staying with headed to the airport to fly home to be with there family’s for Thanksgiving. I woke up with them to say my goodbyes for I was expecting to catch the evening train home. Since I was awake I jumped on thee computer to buy my ticket and catch up on some emails….”SOLD OUT” the trains schedules read….my jaw dropped. This couldn’t be… I searched again hoping it was a mistake. ”SOLD OUT” Again??? No this has to be a bad dream. After 2 hours of searching to find an alternative way home, I texted friends in the area in hopes to make plans but failed for all of them had left that morning as well or the day before. The thought of not being with my family for Thanksgiving was so overwhelming; I locked the bedroom door and passed out on the bed for a bit.

When I woke up the bedroom filled with light from the sunny clear skies outside. My Blackberry had been flooded with apology texts from friends in regards to not being around to keep me company. It wasn’t the thought of being alone that upset me, the fact of not being with my family felt like a stab in the chest. Still scrolling through my texts, my mom had texted while I was asleep; she and I both we still on the hunt to find a train to get me home. Becoming more used to the idea of a date with sushi and a book I wondered… How I else would occupy my time? A shot in the dark I opted to just check Amtrak one last time… to my surprise 1 ticket had opened up; without a moments hesitation I bought it and packed my bag at lightening speed, brushed my teeth and washed my face, and arrived at Union Station 2 hours before my train was scheduled for departure.

Call it ignorance but we tend to look away when we see the less fortunate in need. Out of sight out of mind… something like that. My friend and I had gone to dinner the night before and both only ate half of our meals and boxed the rest to take home. Being that he had left that morning our food sat in the fridge. I don’t like to waste food, so I took it. Walking to the train station I had seen a man lying in a doorway of what I assumed was a vacant building… I wondered- What he would be doing for Thanksgiving. Without a second thought, I took the 2 small boxes and gave them to him. If wasn’t much but at least I knew he would eat.

The train ride was long but it was nice to be going home. I couldn’t shake the thought of the man lying in the doorway. How many cold nights has he slept outside??? Pondering the struggles he may face when the snow comes. It wasn’t pity but respect for him. I know, I know… many people can just say of that’s his choice to be a bum or that’s the life he picked. But really step back and look at the big picture. He may not have a home to go to or is struggling to find a job (keep in mind the economy isn’t the best these days). I am an optimist to a fault. I like to think there is good in all of us and that is our little something beautiful we can share with the world. After 3 hours my train arrived home and I was met by my mom… remember the movie Home Alone2 and the scene where Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) sees his mom and makes that super happy face and runs to her… that’s what is was like for me, minus the running to her and the blockbuster music to set the tone. I was home!!!

I think we miss the point that Thanksgiving isn’t about the turkey or the football games or parades. It’s about getting a special day to come together with loved ones. Call it a reminder… call it food for thought… I am most thankful for my family and special people in my life. This is my something beautiful to share with all of you! Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace, Love and Rock out!

Jessica