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The Curse of Blessings


 

If they cut open people the way they do trees to count the rings, I suspect that the indications for this past year would show marked, even catastrophic, distress.

A weird way to begin a Thanksgiving post, but…you know what I mean, right?

I’ve been struggling lately with the concept of blessings. When we receive something we really needed or experience even more than we needed we often say we have been blessed. For many that is connected to a belief in divine intervention. 

If that is true then what about all the folks who aren’t receiving what they really need or experiencing what it’s like to have more than they need? Are they not good enough for God to love them or care for their needs?

This is beginning to feel too much like the poor children who see what Santa brings the affluent children and wonder why Santa looked at them and found them lacking. 

I have no answer for that except that I know that blessings are not about some folks being more deserving than others. 

Today I am thinking about the horrors of the last year and also the people and experiences and things that got me through. All philosophical quandaries aside, I am thankful.

Here’s an undoubtedly incomplete list.

  • Medical care and health insurance
  • Therapy and medication 
  • Social Security and retirement savings 
  • My family, especially 
  • My husband 
  • Friends who get me with all my quirks
  • Enough to eat and drink
  • Art and art supplies
  • Music
  • Libraries 
  • My neighborhood/village and community 
Here’s the weird stuff: I am grateful for discovering YouTube as a source for stress-free videos to fall asleep by even while the world was on fire. And I owe a huge debt to the BBC panel show QI for giving me something for my brain to be delighted in and the rare opportunity to laugh.

For all the people who helped us get through The Great Ceiling Collapse of 2025, I am exceedingly grateful, and for all of you who helped me get through a rough time with the blog: thank you.

Finally - - every time I am out and about in the community and see something beautiful or discover something new I get a feeling of, “Wow, I really love this place.” I’ve lived here 26 years and I’m still thankful for that. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating. And, as author Connie Schultz puts so wisely. “For those who are struggling, may the day land gently.”



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  1. Julia A. McCreadyNovember 27, 2025 at 4:59 AM

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