Times are tough. The world is a dumpster fire. I suffer from anxiety and get stressed out about something every damn day. Sometimes it’s the big stuff—climate change, racism gender equality, etc. Other times it is some really small, stupid shit—did that email sound snarky, what happened to my favorite character in a book, did I really need that second glass of wine?
It is my worry and constant sense of impending doom that led me to create a new tradition at Casa de Traver. We call them “our gratefuls.” Every night at dinner, we go around the table and each person must list three things they are grateful for that day. The theory being, no matter how bad of a day you had, you can always find three things in which to give thanks.
I’m pleased to report, my family embraced this practice wholeheartedly. As soon as we sit down at the table, someone usually jumps in with their list. I’m also happy guests to our home have been great sports about joining us. Josie’s friends seem to really like the practice and have been eager to share their gratefuls with our family. This makes me very happy.
Of course, some days are harder than others for each of us. We have all been through intense challenges, loss and struggles. However, we persevere and have never failed to do our list if we are having dinner together, which is most nights.
Not all of our gratefuls are profound. A large portion center around the food we are eating. The Travers love to eat. One of my husband’s gratefuls on Thursday night has become a running joke. Without fail, every week, he is always grateful for the people who will come and take our trash away on Friday. When you think about it, food and garbage removal are a big damn deal. We are thankful AF for both. My husband would like it noted, if he is outside when the garbage men come, he thanks them personally.
Some days the gratefuls are huge and we share them (you are allowed to repeat someone else’s grateful). We have been grateful for job advancements, good health, new puppies, safety, time spent with family and friends and Josie getting accepted into a prestigious academy.
I am someone who embraces traditions hard and I love this one so much. I also feel it has brought our family closer together. It really gives insight into a person to know what they are grateful for at that moment. Just listing these three items each day has helped us relate to the each other and made us more compassionate, understanding and patient.
I’ve had a lot of wins as a parent and way more loses than I want to think about. Not all my ideas and plans are good ones (see the vegan Swedish meatball debacle of 2020), but I hit it out of the park with this grateful business. For that I am most grateful.
Check me out on social @kyspiritsgal and read some of my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com. Cheers!
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
