I write this minutes before leaving to join my family for our small Thanksgiving meal and family time. A major holiday that’s sole purpose being to share a large meal, that could realistically be eaten at any time of any year, might seem ridiculous upon deeper thought compared to other celebrated days but I think not. Woody Harrelson’s character Tallahassee from the 2009 movie Zombieland had it right when he inspired Jesse Eisenberg’s character Columbus to add “Enjoy the little things” to his Zombieland Rules. Throughout the movie, Tallahassee was the epitome of the phrase exemplifying it through his speech, mannerisms, and actions and the character portrayal by Harrelson is probably credit to it’s positive reception. With the year turning out the way it has for most of us with no big trips, traveling, adventures, them parks, movies, and many other joys in life being enjoyed few and far between I think the Zombieland rule coined by Tallahassee may fit this Thanksgiving more than any other. That all goes for me and my experience this year anyway.
Earlier this year I began making big plans for the summer and fall. A long adventurous road trip around the United States with my dog, then a brief trip abroad to one or two countries in Europe in the fall, and finally a potential family vacation to Disney down in Florida during Christmas Break. Obviously none of that occurred, but fingers crossed for next year! Instead, this year consisted of quarantines and lots of little things in-between said quarantines. As sad as this year has turned out, both generally and personally, I find myself ending it thankful. Thankful for the little things of 2020. Being able to exercise regular, work and have a steady income, eat regularly decent meals, and many other things I have taken for granted have been big positives in my life this year. When the gyms closed in the spring, I quickly realized how big the little thing that was weights and exercise was to me. My dog, Indy, which could be a little thing to most was a welcomed almost-constant companion this year. The backyard for playtime was thoroughly used this year as well as the ten dollar frisbee he loves to catch and chase across the yard. We’ve gone through about four of those frisbees so far this year. Books and the ability to read, a little thing that became a big thing this year insomuch that I’ve read up to forty or fifty books so far and written more this year than ever as well. A habit I’d love to carry over into next year and beyond.
This year has had many big things, many that were not good. People have died, lost businesses, their jobs, and the list could go on but I like to be positive especially on a day like today. My own father and people I work with had COVID and their recovery are big things I’m thankful for, I know some have not been so lucky. As most years in life go, big things and little make up life but this year seems to have lacked in the good big things. Perhaps we needed the lack of the good big things to realize the little things could fill that void just as well. This year has made a few of those little things move into the big thing category for me personally. Today I’m thankful for all the little things, good and bad. Reading books, playing frisbee, and even the people who I tend to get behind going to work who drive too slow for my liking. As my great-grandfather use to say, if I was in that big of a hurry I should have left sooner anyways. The little things can be enjoyed and learned from just as well and even more frequently as the big things. Like writing a procrastinated blog post right before eating a meal on a nationally celebrated day devoted to said meal. I think I’ll go on enjoying the little things the rest of this year like I’ve done so far. Maybe the appreciation will carryover into next year. Here’s hoping!
