How I Ruined a Day of True Thanksgiving – Almost

I was in the mood – thankful for my health, my family and friends, my bountiful life, my time in history. There we were, 34 of my immediate family members at my brother, Mike's beautiful home – missing some members of the family, but reveling in the ones that were present today. Really, I was grateful for my life as IT IS.

And then we joined our hands, bowed our heads, and my brother, Mike, said a blessing that welcomed Chase Austin into our family, that blessed our food and all who cooked it and all who were about to eat it. It was a great prayer.

And then I went nuts – unconscious. I ate and ate and ate some more. It wasn't hungry for the food. I was enjoying my sister Patsy helping Hayleigh and her cousin Kayla make thanksgiving turkeys out of oreos, malt balls and candy corn. I was laughing as Mike's dogs climbed out of the swimming pool and shook the water off their coats, spraying all the kids in the process. I was trying to worm a wish list out of my nephew Ryan, whose name I have drawn for Christmas. I oohed and awwwed over my niece Amanda's pictures of her wedding dress and veil – happening this coming summer. And on it went – dozens of conversations – catching up – looking forward – touching in. Eating all the time.

It's almost as if I couldn't be there without eating. While the food was delicious, I was totally on automatic regarding what I was throwing into my system. As I drove away, my stomach actually hurt. The thought that crossed my mind was, "I could just Think about throwing up, and it would happen." I was that miserable. I was having a "food hang-over."

Sometimes I think the reactive part of my mind can't stand my being happy. It just has to throw a monkey wrench into the midst of my contentment. However, I am, as of this moment, recommitting to the care and nurturing of my body. It is the temple wherein my spirit resides. I want to be and will be conscious about its maintenance. I've been lax about it lately, and now I have this reminder from today to get me back on course. Ah, life is good.