Princeville, Hawai’i – Appropriately, this Thanksgiving weekend has provided many reasons and reminders for me to be grateful. I feel super fortunate to have so many opportunities for joy and wonder and love in my life!
Turkey Trot
The WHOLE FAMILY agreed to participate in the Somerville Road Runners Gobble Gobble Gobble, a 4-mile road race on Thanksgiving morning. Twin V is not normally a distance runner, but he “won the family” which was his goal. (I won’t go into the gory details about his situation afterwards, but he claims it was worth it.) Twin S was not far behind him, displaying his typical nonchalance. Daddio and I were just happy to finish with no injuries, but I did get a faster time than I expected! There’s something to be said for low expectations.
But truly, I am full of gratitude that my body can still do this, albeit slowly. I am so grateful for the endorphins it triggers – not just running, but all movement. Furthermore, as the twin-agers get older, I appreciate every opportunity we have to enjoy doing something all together. “Together” loosely defined.
Also, “enjoy” loosely defined.
Twin V: A road race is not really that much fun.
Twin S: It’s not supposed to be fun, it’s an accomplishment.
Me: Well… it is called a “fun run”.
Twin S: …Nah
Kickball
Now this is going to seem like we are some super active sporty family, which is not really the case. BUT, on the day after Thanksgiving, our neighbors organized a street-wide, all-ages kickball game. Dozens of people participated, from age four to 72. It was a blast! Again, my whole family showed up – two days in a row! – which felt like a gift. (For the record, playing kickball is way more fun than running in fun runs, according to Twin V.)
For my part, playing kickball with my neighbors was a joyful reminder of how much I love living in this community. In a town that is often characterized by tension between old-timers and newcomers, in an age when many people don’t recognize their next-door neighbors… I live in a place where we look out for each other and we have fun together. What a blessing.
Feeling the Aloha
And then two days after Thanksgiving, I hopped on an airplane bound for Kaua’i. I am so excited to re-discover this far-flung, absolutely gorgeous corner of the world! We came here as a family in 2022 while researching The Last Stand of the Raven Clan, and now I will have two full weeks to research parts of the Hawaiian island for Lonely Planet.
Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as it used to be to bring the family along, as the twin-agers have school and sports (and yes, Daddio has a job). Fortunately, solo travel also brings me so much joy. Let’s go!
