Gratitude & Crab Legs
- Speak Up La
- Dec 30, 2021
- 4 min read
2020 if nothing else has made all of us take a moment (or many moments) to reflect. And one thing that I have been reflecting on is that – all things happen for a reason.
I have touched on this here and there via social media but I have recently moved to the ATL area. And in that transition, I have moved back in with my parents. I haven’t lived with them in over a decade – and have things def changed!
Moving back in with my parents has been an interesting journey. It has taught me – and currently teaching me so much patience. I can admit – when I first moved in, I was sad in losing so much of my freedom. For most of my adult life, I have lived by myself and the thought of not having my alone time has been adjustment.
Literally from the moment I open my bedroom door, one of my parents are up greeting me and saying ‘Good Morning!’. That alone has been adjustment – fun fact: I am not really a morning person, until I have my coffee that is – after that I am golden! :)
The other fun adjustment in moving in with them – is I am now the in house ‘tech support’ for all questions about email, internet, printers, modems, tv’s, etc. etc. Every day I sit down with my father to show him something computer related. One day I sat with him for over 3 hours fixing the computer and printer issues. I was out done!
I cannot lie – at more times that I don’t want to admit – my frustration levels hit all-time highs. Adjusting to living with people – even your parentals takes an adjustment period.
But something I have been working on consistently – that is how I view things. I have been working daily on my mindset. And in doing so – I had to change my viewpoint on what this move has truly meant to me.
The first thing this move has given me is - time.
When I moved from ATL after school, pretty much each week my parents in some capacity would let me know how much they missed me. They always have supported my career endeavors – but as the baby of the family – they have always wanted me to live close. Pre covid, we always took trips each year to various cities; but nothing beats seeing someone every day.
Getting a ‘Good Morning’ before my coffee or sitting now for hours being tech support compares nothing to all of the delicious meals my mom has made for me daily. To the days when my Dad and I sneak donuts lol. But really the best thing about being home is all the conversations we have had.
Before being home, I would talk to my parents everyday but whew daily dinner convo is a whole different animal – in a good way. Daily I get a new nugget about them, their parents, other loved ones and so many life lessons. These types of conversations are invaluable and something I cherish more each day. I can guarantee a good lesson and life each night!
Another thing that this move has helped me with and that’s my budgeting.
The move has grounded me and helped me really focus on budgeting; and ultimately focus on what is important. I have written on my financial challenges in the past, and in truth this the first time in my adult life I truly have had a good surplus of funds to build up a very good savings account. Before with my budgeting – it was down to the penny. Now I am able save and enjoy life. Not being stressed financially has been a joy that came out of this move unexpectedly.
But the biggest reflection in this gratitude journey has come from this Thanksgiving. This year I was in charge of dinner. As daunting as that sounded, I decided to do a crab boil ( I know you have probably been wondering when does the crab legs part come in? lol) After managing through making the meal – this was my first time doing a boil by the way!
We sat down to a yummy meal and I looked around the table. It was just my parents and I; but I was so grateful to be there with them. I was fortunate to get a new job that moved me down to ATL and especially since we are in a pandemic, I did not have to travel for the holiday season. And the big thing I didn’t have to put the people that mean most to me, my parentals, in any type of health risk.
Thanksgiving day was the most relaxing we ever had, from a yummy breakfast, to watching movies to sitting around the table cracking open crab legs.
As I went to sleep that night I prayed and thanked God for all that He has brought me through thus far. Life always shows itself in good and bad ways – but in everything we do – we can always find some gratitude.
Comments