Top Five Things Tessa’s Thankful for This Year
Thanksgiving is so much fun! I love breaking bread with my favorite people, relaxing with each other, and de-stressing for a couple of days. Here are the top five things I’m thankful for this year.
Thanksgiving in Colorado
Ask anyone who knows me: I’ve got it made with the family my husband brought me when we got married. My parents-in-law are the most loving individuals around. They open their home to our loud crew and two crazy dogs. They make it so we can all be together during Thanksgiving time. In addition to that, my husband’s aunt, brother, and sister’s family join in the family fun. There are so many laughs shared around the table during Thanksgiving, and later during epic board game rounds late at night. My kids get to play with their adorable cousins, and we get to experience Colorado breweries. We are truly spoiled by our backdrop, but getting the family together in any state would be super fun. Here’s to family!
My Department
I know I’m lucky to work in a place with so many gifted and intelligent people. My department is the best around. I’ve said it before: I love my job, and besides the students, they are a big reason why. Each one of them brings so much to the classroom, and I learn from them every day. I get jealous of students who get to have them as teachers, and I marvel at the roles they play in the lives of kids each day. I live about twenty minutes from where I work, but I make sure to drive my kids the distance, so they will some day call these humans their teachers. In addition to making the classroom enjoyable, they are creators of puns, amazing parents, technological wizards, skilled yogis, face-saving aestheticians, trendy fashionistas, competitive coaches, musical masterminds, and most importantly, good people. This year, I’m especially thankful for colleagues like these.
Bar Lighting and Photo Filters
My house doesn’t have enough light to do most things well. For some reason it’s dimly lit in almost every room except one, and I’m okay with that. The confidence an almost forty-year-old gains from a soft light is incredibly important. It’s got–like–a 10 pm at a downtown bar feel and look to it, and who doesn’t look good in that kind of light? My house looks cleaner, my skin looks wrinkle-free, and it provides a calm I search for in the “florescent lights of truth” in my classroom. In addition to bar lighting, I have to throw out some love for photo filters and Instagram. Even though I know what I look like on most days, my photo filters say, “Naw, girl, you’ve still got it.” and for that, I am thankful. No makeup, hair-do, shower, or focus needed on those pictures. The filters do the work for me.
This Writing Thing
I have wanted to be some crazy things in my life. I remember entertaining the professions of: professional actress, specifically on soap operas; a professional basketball player, no joke, not kidding, and for far too long; and a rock band member even though the only instrument I have ever played an entire song on would be the baritone saxophone. However, one constant in my life of dreams would be the desire to be a writer. I wrote poetry at a young age. I remember “My Rad Dad” being one of my favorites. (It was the 80s, after all, and my dad is pretty awesome.) And who can forget the epic rap I wrote and performed about World Peace in 5th grade? I’m sure none of the attendees. This was the beginning of a life of appreciation for the written word.
My high school English teachers were phenomenal. They opened my eyes to the art of writing. It was only natural that I would want to be just like them, and now I get to talk writing all day every day. The Nanowrimo journey Kelly and I are on is intense. I’ve had to get up at 4:30 am just to get it in, but I don’t mind. I can’t wait to finish this novel, continue to contribute to Family Footnote, and begin being the owner of A Writer Inside. I’m so thankful for getting to do that every day. In a world that is so fast-paced where things don’t seem to last too long, writing makes ideas infinite. Nothing gets more exciting than that.
Neighbors
I’ve mentioned it before now, but my neighbors are an extension of my family. They have been there for us for all the ups and downs life can throw. Our kids are building memories together every day, and they have been so blessed to meet some of their best friends in our cul-de-sac. In addition to their support, our house has been under construction for 7 years. They help, they ignore the mess, and they still hang out with us. We appreciate them so much. This Thanksgiving, I am definitely thankful for these awesome people.
We’d love to know what you’re most thankful for this year. As always, we are so thankful to you for your comments, readership, and sharing. Happy Thanksgiving!