What a Wonderful World

This is the best day ever!

We’re celebrating Thanksgiving this Sunday at my house. Yes, technically we’re a few days early — but what does that matter? Regardless of the day, this Thanksgiving is the most wonderful gift I’ve ever received.

Why? You might ask. What makes this year so special?

It’s because this will be the first time that I have ever, had all of my family together under one roof. You see, I made a terrible mess of my life a few years ago. And it cost me… everything.

Now of course I’m not talking about things — if you’ve read me at all, you know that I don’t give a damn about things. It’s people, and the experiences shared with them that make this a Wonderful World.

And I’m not going to go into the mistakes that decimated our family. Those are dead and buried, and I throw more and more dirt on the pile every day. This is a story about love and forgiveness.

My eldest daughter saw what was going on behind the scenes in our family. And she tried to do something about it, but she couldn’t. A seventeen year old has little power in such situations. So the day she turned eighteen she did what any other kid would do, she left home. Her mother and I only saw her a handful of times over the next year, and even less over the next seven.

She’d even gotten married and had a child during this time. And her mother and I, well we were standing on the sidelines with helmets in hand — waiting, but never got the call.

Now in the meanwhile, my Sweetheart and I had gotten ourselves together. As a matter of fact, it was rather soon after — we’ve been clean for virtually all of this time. But that in itself couldn’t mend the bridge, we had a lot to prove — and it takes time to mend a heart that’s broken.

But all that changed over this summer. I’m not sure why, and I don’t care why — I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Heck it took me ten minutes to pull myself together enough to finish typing that sentence, and idk how in this Wonderful World I’m going to read this to y’all.

I’m also fully aware that something can come by and knock me off the top of this mountain at any time, so I’ll enjoy every moment of this view while I have it. This is why I choosing the song, What a Wonderful World, by Louis Armstrong, to be this week’s Stories from the Jukebox song writing prompt.

Because it is, a Wonderful-Wonderful World!

Even with all its problems — idiotic leaders and addiction, topping the list. There is also beauty happening, at the very same time.

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed days, the dark sacred nights
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands, saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying, “I love you”

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more
Than I’ll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world

If you’re having a hard time sharing in my joy — then let me be your inspiration to stick it out just one more day. I promise you, it won’t always be this dark. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can’t see it yet — it’s still there, no matter how dim. If a day seems too long, take it one minute at a time. And look, you just made it for one more! Just keep on keeping on.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

I am also here for you 🙏 If you ever need to talk it out or for someone to just listen, please message me.

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Thanks for reading! 🙏 I’m wishing y’all a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.

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Remember when I mentioned something big, but didn’t dare to share the news?

Photo credit The Rainbow Collections