What I'm Thankful For This Season

Kara Zajac

Calming the Crazy

I’m still reveling in the post-Thanksgiving carb-loaded emotional bliss. It’s a day when I intentionally overlook my step count or my carb-to-protein ratio, but focus on enjoying being around the people I love. This year we spent the holiday at my parents’ house, each of us bringing several dishes to lighten the load, and invited several groups of people that had never met. When we went around the table stating what we were thankful for, it was heartwarming to hear how so many were thankful for the blessings of togetherness and friendship. It reminded me that even though we all come from different backgrounds and standpoints, we can still share in friendship. Opinions and political viewpoints do not have to divide our hearts.

Earlier in the week, I had a pleasant reminder while at the grocery store a few days before showtime. Everyone seemed to be clogging the aisles of Kroger, long lists in hand, minds in a faraway land of hand-me-down recipes and pre-holiday stress. After contemplating how much powdered sugar I could possibly need, I realized that I was blocking this man with a loaded cart right behind me. I turned to him and apologized, stunned by his remarkable response.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “We’re all in this together!” I couldn’t help but bust out laughing. He was so right. We were all in this together with the same goal and probably the same groceries. Why stress? I was so thankful for this man and his positive holiday attitude. I gave him a double thumbs up and moved on. His comment changed my attitude from tense to chilled. I’ve thought about him and smiled several times since then.

My own blessing came on Friday when I awoke at 8:20 am to complete silence. Kim was already at work, and Senia Mae had dragged Grammy to the outlet malls for their dose of Black Friday chaos. I sat in the hot tub with an espresso, watched the sun shine on the gray bark of an oak tree as a squirrel worked diligently on its winter nest. Birds chirping in the background, I realized I had the entire day to do as I wished. I read a little, bought a few items online, worked on some email stuff I had been putting off, and allowed myself the freedom to relax and enjoy some well-needed alone time.

Thankfulness comes in different sizes and formats. The important part is recognizing and appreciating what we have, while giving others the love and space to thrive as well.


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Smiling woman with dark curly hair, wearing glasses, white shirt, and reddish necklace.

Kara Zajac

The Significance of Having Curly Hair

Kara Zajac is a writer, chiropractor, mother, wife, & musician. She earned her B.S. from SUNY and Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College. Kara maintains a practice in Dawsonville, GA, where she helps people revitalize their lives naturally with chiropractic and Braincore Neurofeedback. Kara is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who currently plays drums with The Jessie Albright Band. Kara’s blog has been included in Top Mommy Bloggers and her work has been in Imperfect Life Magazine, Ripped Jeans and Bifocals, and Just BE Parenting. Her bibliography includes: The Significance of Curly Hair, The Special Recipe for Making Babies, and her current novel, The Waiting is the Hardest Part. An excerpt from The Significance of Curly Hair was published in Stigma Fighters, a magazine supporting people battling mental illness. 3 chaps. of The Significance of Curly Hair were published in 2/20 edition of the Scarlet Leaf Review. An excerpt from The Special Recipe for Making Babies was a finalist in 2022’s Charlotte Lit/Lit South Award for Nonfiction. Kara resides in the North Georgia Mountains with her wife, Kim, and daughter, Senia Mae.

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