GRATITUDE. It’s a word that gets tossed around a lot this week as we observe Thanksgiving. And that’s good as we all need to pause, reflect and focus on reasons to feel thankful.
Health and family often top that list. And I’m staying in that lane of feeling especially grateful this year for restoration of my health and for my dear family—my husband, three adult children, two grandchildren and sons-in-law. And the soon-to-be-born second grandson.
While my core family is scattered from Boston to eastern Wisconsin to Minnesota, we are never far apart, thanks to smartphones. So, yes, this mom and grandma, who once lived in the days of no phone service (not even a landline) and of typewriters, is especially grateful for technology that allows us to stay easily connected.
Still, that does not make up for in-person time together as a family. It doesn’t happen often that we are together. But in August, we were. All of us. For the annual Helbling family reunion. If ever my mama’s heart was full and happy, it was then. The son actually spent several weeks in Minnesota after flying in from Boston for the international unicycling convention in Bemidji and then staying until the reunion. To have that lengthy time with him, whom I typically only see at Christmas, was beyond wonderful. Technology allowed this extended stay as he could work remotely, although he did complain about my slow internet speed.
And then there’s my health. This past year marked the year I reclaimed my life after spending 2023 dealing with issues caused by long haul COVID. I spent six months in vestibular rehab therapy to retrain my brain. I learned to feel comfortable walking without feeling unbalanced. I learned to manage sensory overload (which remains a residual problem). And much more. I shall be forever grateful to my healthcare team, specifically my physical therapist Ryan, and my family for getting me through an incredibly difficult health challenge. My symptoms were debilitating. Few understood then and few understand now what I experienced.
But because of that experience, I’ve been able to encourage and support others who are in the throes of debilitating long haul COVID. I understand. I empathize. And my compassion for them runs deep. This is real and life-changing.
In January, I underwent bilateral strabismus surgery to realign my eyes. Although that surgery failed (as it does up to 20 percent of the time), I remain grateful for one thing—my vision. It’s certainly far from perfect. I still see double if I’m not wearing my prism-heavy prescription eyeglasses. I struggle to tell if photos I am taking or processing are clear. But the bottom line is that I can see. And that is reason to feel grateful. I. Can. See.
In all of the challenges of life, reasons exist to feel thankful. It’s easy enough to fall into complacency and take good health, family, friends and life in general for granted. Don’t. None of those are a given. No matter what, we can choose to feel grateful, even in the midst of struggles. Something positive can come from negative. Life brims with reasons to feel grateful. I am.
Happy Thanksgiving, dear readers! I am grateful for all of you, for your support, for your friendship, for the light you shine in my life.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Yes I agree health these days is always something we can be grateful for. As you said Don’t take it for granted. I am glad you have been able to manage all the rehab which I know as a nurse to be very difficult. thankful with you that it has been helpful in getting some of your vision improved. I experienced a total hip replacement and now can empathize with those folks who have difficulty after this. Thankful for movement and less pain. I too am thankful for Iphones to stay close to family. I do still miss the clatter and ding of an old typewriter however!!!:):):) Much to be grateful for. Thank YOU for all your shared experiences with us readers. Grateful for you. Have a great season!! Grateful to Our Father in heaven from whom all blessings flow!! prayers Kathy Gwillim
Thank you for reminding us to be grateful 🙂
I am glad that your vestibular therapy seems to have been a success.
Did you have issues with displaced inner ear crystals which can also cause vertigo.
I had vertigo (not due to Covid) but thanks to a non-invasive procedure called “canalith repositioning”, after just a couple sessions, I was cured!
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/canalith-repositioning-procedure/about/pac-20393315
I was so verrrrry grateful to the ORL who had finally found the solution rather than other doctors who just gave me medication for the vertigo.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for this wonderful reminder of why each day should include “Thanks Giving”
happy thanksgiving to you and yours as well, Audrey. what a lovely post brimming with gratitude in spite of your own personal challenges. can’t wait to meet your new grandson –
I have been working on finding that balance lately. The go, go, go can have you up and gone like burnt toast if not careful. Life is a precious gift and I really try to unwrap it a little more slowly to savor it than I have been doing. Thankful, grateful, blessings . . . kindness, patience, compassion . . . taking the time for yourself as well as your health, family, adventuring, friends, etc. Happy Thanksgiving ((((((loveandhugs)))))
This Thanksgiving, I am spending it by myself. No Turkey for me (but I do have Pecan Pie with whipped creamed). I just could not get enough stuff done to take time off (I am retired?) to allow the travel that I would need to do to visit family (friends are fewer and far between). While most would consider such a situation as near intolerable, I submit, I have slept on steel decks without a pillow or a blanket. I have slept on asphalt, concrete and yes even grass, that wasn’t so sweet. This isolation on a holiday is nothing new to me. It does give me time and the solitude to reflect on my life, take care of pressing issues and be Thankful for what I have and also the time to write about various topics. Yes, I write. Not anything many of you are going to see, but I do write. So, I agree, Audrey, we have a lot to be greatful for, we just need to think about it a bit and wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and may you all be blessed.
Thank you for such a thoughtful essay. There is much to be grateful about – I tend to forget that sometimes.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
We all have many reasons to feel grateful. Sometimes we just need to pause and ponder. And give thanks.
Grateful for you. Happy Thanksgiving.
I feel the same about you, Valerie. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We did. In Madison.
I’m thankful to have found your blog, your huge heart shines through in your writing, you are an inspiration. ❤️ Love the tree tag!! Happy Thanksgiving!!
I’m thankful we connected via blogging. I enjoy reading your insights and visiting the places you visit via your blog.
HAppy Thanksgiving, Audrey. I’m thankful for the positive energy you put into each post and the care and detail each photo exudes as you document small town living in southern MN. Keep up the good work.
Thank you, Chris. I appreciate your kind words.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Happy Belated Thanksgiving, Audrey. I’m thankful for knowing you, my Dear Friend. ❤
Happy Thanksgiving to you also, Penny. I am grateful for your friendship.
Catching up finally and had to add my gratefulness for you. You’ve had quite a year but through it all— hope shines through. Your favorite word. Happy belated Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Beth Ann. Yes, hope shines. Just fyi, I haven’t blogged recently due to travel and tech issues (hopefully now resolved.