Thanksgiving Archives - Becoming Elli

It seems to be a tradition that I post my Thanksgiving thoughts here. I don’t think I’ve posted every year but I’ve caught a few.

As you know, this time of year is Thanksgiving here in the US. It’s a day we’re supposed to spend with family and friends, enjoy a large meal, and maybe watch football or play board games.

This year we are celebrating the holiday at my house. My son and daughter-in-law are spending the day and are bringing a friend who needs a place to go for the holiday. My brother will also be here as will my boyfriend.

It has sort of become a tradition now that we all provide the food that reminds us of our family traditions. I’m roasting the turkey and making the potatoes. My son and daughter-in-law are bringing pies, macaroni and cheese and green bean casserole, because that is Mary’s family tradition. My brother is bringing creamed onions and a squash casserole because that is his tradition. It’s a fun way to spend the day. We also usually play a game or two and enjoy some time together.

What am I thankful for this year? I’m pondering this.

This was a difficult year for me. I don’t know why but this year seemed more difficult than the earlier two years though that was when we were dealing with shutdowns and pandemics. Maybe it’s the aftermath that made me feel down.

I had a couple of moments that really made me feel broken. I don’t know why but they both involved friends. So usually I say I’m thankful for my friends. And that is true, I am thankful for friends but I’m also thankful that I can carry on with life regardless of others. I suppose that’s an important thing, being able to overcome hurt feelings and loss.

I’m thankful that Becoming Elli continues to thrive and that our podcast Fit Strong Women over 50 is going strong. I get so much enjoyment from all of this and I learn a lot too.

I hate to say it because it seems so cliché, but I’m thankful for my health. Again this year has been challenging and I’ve felt very frustrated that I really tried to be living a fit healthy life and still ended up with health issues. But I’m still able to do much of what I want and am trying to get back on track.

I’m happy that my family is close by. It makes life easier not having to travel to see everyone. I hope I can see my sister next year.

My Thanksgiving thoughts don’t seem to be as chipper as some years in the past but I’m trying to focus on the positive. I’m grateful that I can imagine better times coming my way.

I hope everyone who is celebrating Thanksgiving has a great day.

We’re heading into the holiday season when many of us spend time with family and friends and eat more than we intend. Let me know what your plans are for the next month or so.

Since this post is being published on Thanksgiving Day, I thought I’d share a few things for which I’m thankful. You know, being grateful at Thanksgiving is what the holiday is about.

Chris wrote last week about her plan for navigating food at Thanksgiving this year and shared her very fun veggie turkey. I loved that photo. Go check it out if you didn’t see it. It’s also a good post if you’re looking for ideas on how to eat or not eat at the holiday table.

Grateful at Thanksgiving

So Thanksgiving is really a harvest festival, I think. We’re supposed to express our gratitude for a bountiful harvest and health and our preparation for winter. Since its inception, of course, Thanksgiving is about gratitude but most of us are pretty removed from the actual harvest. Instead, I think we give thanks for other things in our lives. I’ve been mulling over what I’m thankful for, related to my fitness and heath.

So, this year has been a tough one for me. I’ve had injuries and problems with my Achilles tendon, which has led to lack of training. I think it’s important to recognize that we can’t always set records or be super-amazing. Instead, sometimes, we just have to do what we can. I’m thankful that I managed to run two half-marathons this year and, while I didn’t set the world on fire, I completed them.

I’m also thankful that I’ve managed to do enough strength training that I’m able to use my muscles to offset some of the problems I’ve had. When my hip was sore, I had enough upper body strength to lift myself out of the chair. (This is me, trying to see the glass as half-full!)

I am also thankful that I’ve managed to surround myself with people who care about me and have lots of advice on ways to keep myself healthy. A friend ran over late in the evening to bring me a heating pad. Another friend gave me advice on how best to use ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Friends invited me to go to yoga with them or encourage me to attend classes at the gym.

Becoming Elli Community

I’m thankful that Chris and I have created this Becoming Elli blog, podcast, and community. I think I’ve learned a lot about being a fit, strong woman over 50 from both writing and reading the blog and in creating the podcast. Some of the people we’ve interviewed are so inspirational and others have been so informative. As we finish our first year of the podcast, I’m grateful that we’ve had such amazing people join us.

The Becoming Elli community has also provided me with inspiration and support. I’m very grateful for those of you who share your wins and your losses. Having a community of like-minded women is such a gift.

I’m so thankful for my fitness community. Whether the friends are in our hometowns or online, we can support each other in all kinds of ways. While I can’t bring you a heating pad, I’m happy to encourage you and tell you about my experiences with fitness or injury or running or what I eat for breakfast. The more we help each other, the more we can all become like Elli and be fit and strong. So, thank you for being a member of the Becoming Elli community. I’m grateful you’re here.

Tag: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Being Grateful at Thanksgiving

Grateful at Thanksgiving

Becoming Elli Community