Needed reminder of blessings in life

Managing Editor

It was Thanksgiving Day, and it seemed like everyone in the world was in a festive mood as they talked and posted on Facebook about their turkeys and how wonderful it was to be away from work and to be with family.

And there I was — on my 11th consecutive day of work with no day off, having averaged 14 hours per day the previous three days.

You may have all noticed I haven’t had a column run the last three Sundays. I have felt little inspiration to share anecdotes or to say anything witty as of late — OK, so I’ve been a flat out Grinch.

On the morning of Thanksgiving, I woke up feeling emotional and hating the world. The long days and lack of sleep had started to take its toll, and I was in no mood to go cover the annual Portales community dinner and see people being cheerful.

It’s funny how every time you feel yourself reaching that stress-induced breaking point, little things come along to remind you just how fortunate you really are.

That afternoon, when I got home, I buried myself under the covers in bed for about an hour and a half, not moving much as I shed a few tears on the blanket.

My boyfriend left me alone to rest and when I was ready to rejoin the land of the living, he took me to Wal-Mart and bought me the dinner of my request — mac & cheese and steaks — which he cooked for me.

Preceding that shopping trip, my big brother in California called me, because he knew I was down, and I got to talk to my two nieces, which can be a rarity with the way our schedules go.

On Thursday afternoon and Friday of the week before this last, I felt it coming on again, the grinchiness inspired by feeling at the end of my rope. The week was another very long and busy week in which I had a lot on my plate, and to top it off, I picked up my car from the mechanics Thursday night to find out it needed more than $1,000 worth of work done on it.

I’d had it; I was “so over this week” and once again, I just wanted to go home and hide under the covers.

Then at 2:30 p.m. that Thursday, my phone rang. My boyfriend’s 9-year-old son called me for no other reason in the world than he missed me and just wanted to talk. He jabbered my ear off for 20 minutes about video games and Christmas, and I listened, loving every minute of it.

Suddenly, my day was brighter. That night, my late birthday present from my boyfriend came in, so I had a gift waiting for me when I got home.

On Friday, just when I felt the pressure of the day sinking in again, my work phone rang, and it was a Portales resident calling to tell me about an event that was going to be happening next week.

I was feeling particularly frustrated with the day and my week at that point, and suddenly, I was once again given new perspective.

This woman was calling me from a hospital bed to make sure I knew there was a photo opportunity waiting for me on Monday, because whether she was there or not, it would be happening, and it was a wonderful cause, so she wanted me to know.

To top it off, I covered Santa Cop that Saturday, and what better reminder could there be that you have multiple blessings in your life?

It’s been a rough, stressful month, but looking at it now, I know I have no reason to complain. I have so much to be grateful for, and that’s a fact I need reminding of every once in awhile.

Alisa Boswell is managing editor for Portales News-Tribune. Contact her at:

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