A Thanksgiving of Transition: Reflections and Gratitude

Today marked my first Thanksgiving without the kids, a milestone that brought its own set of emotions and reflections. Despite this, the day was punctuated with moments of gratitude and connection. Watching Jupiter perform during the halftime show at the annual Kirkwood/Webster Thanksgiving game was a proud and heartwarming moment.

I also participated in the Kirkwood/Webster Turkey Day Run, a tradition I've cherished. Running alongside friends, I found comfort and camaraderie, reminders that even in times of change, some things remain a constant source of joy.

The day was one of activity and quiet contemplation. I spent hours walking and running, interspersed with moments of rest. My eating habits were different this year, less focused on the feast that typically marks the day. However, this shift felt okay, especially since the boys and I had already celebrated with a Thanksgiving feast last Sunday. It was a joyous occasion, filled with laughter and shared memories.

In quieter moments, I found myself deeply reflecting on the transition I'm undergoing. Closing one chapter of my life while uncertain about the next brings a mix of apprehension and hope. There was a time when I could picture my future clearly, but recent events have left a void in that vision. This void, while daunting, is also a space of potential and growth.

Friends have inquired about my plans for the future, particularly regarding the possibility of seeking a new companion. Right now, I feel a sense of peace in taking time for myself, in not rushing into another relationship. The thought of never entering into a similar relationship again doesn’t unsettle me; instead, it offers a sense of freedom and self-reliance.

I've come to realize that the friendships I've nurtured over the years played a crucial role in my journey. They offered me perspectives and support that were instrumental in helping me leave an abusive situation. Without these friendships, I might still be struggling to salvage something that was never meant to be.

This Thanksgiving, more than ever, I found myself reflecting on gratitude. I am immensely thankful for the genuine love and support shown by my friends – a stark contrast to the illusory love I once clung to. Today was less about traditional celebrations and more about acknowledging the real, meaningful connections in my life. It was a day of quiet appreciation for the people who have shown me what true love and friendship look like.

Tsunami Warning for Lincoln Nebraska

Tsunami Dawkins Augustine was born at 13:05 on September 26, 2011 at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln, NE. He weighed 8 lbs 5 ounces and measured 20 inches. Mother and baby are doing great!

Kid on a Leash

Has anyone seen these kid leash products around? Sometimes I see them at the zoo, farmers market, or other crowded areas. If a company can make a product that will make a parent feel a little bit safer, there will always be people out there to buy it. When I see one, it reminds me of that scene in Rise of the Planet of the Apes when a leashed Caesar sees a dog on a leash and turns to Will and signs, "Am I a pet?" The idea of the product is that it will keep the child safe and nearby. It is designed to subside the fear that a child will run off or get abducted. I think that if someone is out to abduct a child during the few seconds when a parent is looking away, a leash is a very small deterrent, and likely, not effective. All the abductor would need is a nice pair of scissors or simply their fingers. The latch cannot be that hard to work. If anything, having a leash might give a parent a false sense of security causing them to pay less attention to the child. In that case it

The Poky Little Puppy

Sometimes Jupiter likes to read the classic Golden Book tale, The Poky Little Puppy before bed or nap time. This is another of many children's stories where the intended moral of the story seems to have been surpassed by a message that, I think, conveys the nearly the opposite message. The Poky Little Puppy is a story about five little puppies who dig a hole under the fence to go out for a walk in the wide, wide world. The fifth, poky, puppy is always behind the others. Eventually the poky little puppy smells the dessert that is prepared for the puppies each night. The four other puppies smell it too and hurry home while the poky puppy takes his time. The four puppies then eat their dinner and are scolded by their mother for digging a hole under the fence with the punishment being that they do not get dessert. Then along comes the poky puppy after everyone is asleep. He is met with no dinner but left over dessert, since the four puppies were not able to eat it. This scenario takes

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