Comments on: First World Thanksgiving https://mothersofbrothers.com/first-world-thanksgiving/ All about life with boys...and life in general Sat, 21 Dec 2019 17:09:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Wendy McDonagh-Valentine https://mothersofbrothers.com/first-world-thanksgiving/comment-page-1/#comment-36544 Wendy McDonagh-Valentine Sun, 25 Nov 2012 14:04:43 +0000 http://mothersofbrothers.com/?p=8329#comment-36544 This was a wonderful post, Emily. Thanks for including the video. I watched it and I think it should be watched by all. I live in NY and survived the hurricane with very minimal damage. We were without power for only a couple of days and had to wait on only a couple of gas lines. We had to throw out a refrigerator full of food but were able to restock as soon as the power was back on and I am truly grateful for that. The second night without power, we decided to go to dinner with a neighbor and her son. The kids had been wanting pizza but all of our local pizza shops were still closed due to no electricity. When we got to the restaurant my son didn't get out of the car right away. When I opened the door for him I noticed a "look" on his face. I asked him what was wrong and he said he didn't really feel like eating at this particular restaurant because he wanted pizza. I honestly can't remember another time that I so desperately wanted to pounce on my child and literally beat the ungrateful little brat out of him!!! From the car into the restaurant I yelled (yes, YELLED!!) at him for his attitude and how so many people only a few miles from us had absolutely NOTHING left. Not a home, not a car, not even a dry pair of socks. It was a wake up call for me that I need to instill in my children the need to be grateful for what we have even more than I've done in the past. Once they hit a certain age they can't be as sheltered from the realities of our world. They don't need to know all but they need to know some. Thanks so much for this post. We all have so much to be grateful for and I'm going to make it a point not to complain about things that I find myself complaining about. It's usually just in my mind that I have these complaints and it's also usually something that I can do something about but have chosen not to, thus far. In 12-step programs, they call it "living in the solution, not the problem." : ) ~ Wendy This was a wonderful post, Emily. Thanks for including the video. I watched it and I think it should be watched by all. I live in NY and survived the hurricane with very minimal damage. We were without power for only a couple of days and had to wait on only a couple of gas lines. We had to throw out a refrigerator full of food but were able to restock as soon as the power was back on and I am truly grateful for that. The second night without power, we decided to go to dinner with a neighbor and her son. The kids had been wanting pizza but all of our local pizza shops were still closed due to no electricity. When we got to the restaurant my son didn’t get out of the car right away. When I opened the door for him I noticed a “look” on his face. I asked him what was wrong and he said he didn’t really feel like eating at this particular restaurant because he wanted pizza. I honestly can’t remember another time that I so desperately wanted to pounce on my child and literally beat the ungrateful little brat out of him!!! From the car into the restaurant I yelled (yes, YELLED!!) at him for his attitude and how so many people only a few miles from us had absolutely NOTHING left. Not a home, not a car, not even a dry pair of socks. It was a wake up call for me that I need to instill in my children the need to be grateful for what we have even more than I’ve done in the past. Once they hit a certain age they can’t be as sheltered from the realities of our world. They don’t need to know all but they need to know some. Thanks so much for this post. We all have so much to be grateful for and I’m going to make it a point not to complain about things that I find myself complaining about. It’s usually just in my mind that I have these complaints and it’s also usually something that I can do something about but have chosen not to, thus far. In 12-step programs, they call it “living in the solution, not the problem.” : )

~ Wendy

]]> By: Elizabeth Grant Thomas https://mothersofbrothers.com/first-world-thanksgiving/comment-page-1/#comment-36008 Elizabeth Grant Thomas Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:06:58 +0000 http://mothersofbrothers.com/?p=8329#comment-36008 Great post, Em. I'm really going to think about what my chief complaint to get the ax should be. Maybe, "I wish I could figure out what I should do with my life." At least I am lucky enough to even entertain the question, to have a choice at all. Great post, Em. I’m really going to think about what my chief complaint to get the ax should be. Maybe, “I wish I could figure out what I should do with my life.” At least I am lucky enough to even entertain the question, to have a choice at all.

]]> By: Jessie https://mothersofbrothers.com/first-world-thanksgiving/comment-page-1/#comment-35995 Jessie Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:49:03 +0000 http://mothersofbrothers.com/?p=8329#comment-35995 Hmmm.....there are definitely more potential complaints worthy of the chopping block than I care to admit. I will start with losing these two: 1. This rental smells like moth balls. 2. Why does Phil constantly forget his cell phone when the only thing he needs to remember is his cell phone. I like this new spin on gratitude Em, thanks! And Happy Birthday:) xoxo jessie Hmmm…..there are definitely more potential complaints worthy of the chopping block than I care to admit. I will start with losing these two:
1. This rental smells like moth balls.
2. Why does Phil constantly forget his cell phone when the only thing he needs to remember is his cell phone.
I like this new spin on gratitude Em, thanks! And Happy Birthday:)
xoxo
jessie

]]> By: The Domestic Goddess https://mothersofbrothers.com/first-world-thanksgiving/comment-page-1/#comment-35985 The Domestic Goddess Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:42:59 +0000 http://mothersofbrothers.com/?p=8329#comment-35985 Indeed. My life has gained. Different perspective. This kid of mine keeps me busy up to my eyeballs and I thank my lucky stars every day that I live in a place where we have access to everything he needs and things to improve his quality of life. Next time I get irked my washing machine is tying my clothes in knots I will think of this. So thanks. Indeed. My life has gained. Different perspective. This kid of mine keeps me busy up to my eyeballs and I thank my lucky stars every day that I live in a place where we have access to everything he needs and things to improve his quality of life. Next time I get irked my washing machine is tying my clothes in knots I will think of this. So thanks.

]]> By: lesliedr https://mothersofbrothers.com/first-world-thanksgiving/comment-page-1/#comment-35983 lesliedr Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:37:13 +0000 http://mothersofbrothers.com/?p=8329#comment-35983 Em, it was, of course, my children who also taught me about "FPW" - I'm proud that they are so enlightened and yet am amazed when they don't realize they have them as well! After Sandy, and now after hearing from friends in Israel who are sleeping with their children in safe rooms, it is really, really easy not to sweat over table decorations or who is making the pumpkin pie. (I never liked it anyway.) And while I am not necessarily thoughtful enough to write down the things for which I'm grateful, I try to take the time every day to acknowledge them in my own heart. Including the opportunity to be with my family this weekend and to be able to do it again in two months. (Taking to the bed is completely normal, btw.) Em, it was, of course, my children who also taught me about “FPW” – I’m proud that they are so enlightened and yet am amazed when they don’t realize they have them as well! After Sandy, and now after hearing from friends in Israel who are sleeping with their children in safe rooms, it is really, really easy not to sweat over table decorations or who is making the pumpkin pie. (I never liked it anyway.) And while I am not necessarily thoughtful enough to write down the things for which I’m grateful, I try to take the time every day to acknowledge them in my own heart. Including the opportunity to be with my family this weekend and to be able to do it again in two months. (Taking to the bed is completely normal, btw.)

]]> By: Celina https://mothersofbrothers.com/first-world-thanksgiving/comment-page-1/#comment-35978 Celina Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:25:17 +0000 http://mothersofbrothers.com/?p=8329#comment-35978 Great perspective Em. xoxo Great perspective Em. xoxo

]]> By: MelanieO https://mothersofbrothers.com/first-world-thanksgiving/comment-page-1/#comment-35969 MelanieO Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:51:54 +0000 http://mothersofbrothers.com/?p=8329#comment-35969 Brilliant. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! Brilliant. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!

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