There's a little love hidden here, for those with eyes to see it.
During our reading session yesterday, M. stumbled across a word she didn’t know: plenty.
At first I tried synonyms to explain her new vocabulary word. Plenty is ample, abundant, bountiful. But none of those clicked.
Plenty can also be requisite, sufficient, satisfactory. No, she still wasn’t getting the message.
I tried again. “Hmm… basically, plenty is more than you need. It could be a lot more than you need, or just barely over the amount you need.”
M. tilted her head to the side, her big brown eyes thoughtful. Then she nodded and bent to write it in her ever-expanding vocabulary notebook.
When she looked up again, I asked, “How can you tell when you have more than you need?” Besides wanting to solidify the lesson and use the word “plenty” in a few sentences, I was genuinely curious as to her response. Keep in mind M. was born in a trailer park and has been raised in poverty. Even now, her family would be in trouble without food stamps and regular trips to the local food pantry.
Slowly a smile spread across her face, the smile that says that she thinks I’m joking or being silly. “You’re still alive!” she shouted out proudly, as though this were the winning answer to a game show question.
Kind of puts things into perspective; don’t you think?
Today is Thanksgiving Day in my country. It’s a time for us to pause and remember with gratitude the people in our lives and the simple and beautiful blessings we tend to take for granted every day. It’s a moment to revel in our plenty, whatever that is for each of us.
For all my American friends, I wish you a wonderful holiday, complete with laughter and joy and homemade pecan pie (because I’m not too fond of the pumpkin version) — and an extra special dose of tolerance for that one relative who just gets on your last nerve.
And for everyone, regardless of nationality, I wish you a heart that overflows with wonder and gratitude for the beauty around you, for the moments of peace you are privileged to experience, for all the love in your life… and for the very Earth that supports each footstep and every breath you take.
We are so very fortunate to be alive. It’s as simple as that.
Namasté, y’all.
A wild grapevine displays a high-flying golden heart.
PDF 
like the image and the message, Meredith -are you tutoring someone?
David Macaulay´s last blog ..Uh oh – the baby just stood up
I’m glad you liked it, David. And yes.
What wonderful gifts you and M. are to have in the other’s life. Thank you for sharing this.
Happy Thanksgiving.
lisahgolden´s last blog ..The rack is full and so are we- of laughing gas and ennui
Hope your holiday was lovely, Lisa. I am very privileged, and I know it!
I think that is the best “Thanksgiving” story I’ve ever heard. Thank you for sharing it.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving yourself! (I prefer pumpkin to pecan myself, but I am having caramel pumpkin cake instead of pie.
Elizabeth´s last blog ..it feels good to whine when youre sick
Hope that caramel pumpkin cake was delicious, Elizabeth. (It sounds amazing!) I’m glad you liked my little anecdote.
Hope you and F. have a beautiful Thanksgiving, Meredith. Gratitude for the simple things…I believe it’s the secret to a happy life.
Talon´s last blog ..Yes- I am
Thank you, Talon. I am sure you are right about that not-so-secret secret.
Hi Meredith – don’t kids just say it like it is! What a lovely time you must have had with her .. I hope they and you and your near and dears have a lovely day today .. Thanksgiving for life .. Hilary
Hilary´s last blog ..Hanging Hooke
Out of the mouths of babes, as the saying goes.
I love your sign-off, “Thanksgiving for life.” Wonderful!
A wonderful description and I like your student! (((HUG)))
Lynn´s last blog ..Pilgrims- mad dashes and abundance
Oh, me, too, Lynn! Thanks for that sweet hug.
Meredith, so beautifully expressed, as always. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
I so appreciate the compliment, Diana.
Here’s hoping your holiday was a happy one, too!
Dear Meredith, This is a wonderful posting for Thanksgiving. How right you are……things are so simple really…….to be alive, it does not get better!! Looking at the most beautiful sunset today as I write this, I am thankful!!
Edith Hope´s last blog ..From Russia with Love
The simpler, the truer, it sometimes seems. But let’s avoid the maxims and just enjoy the moments that enrapture us. Your sunset sounds truly enchanting, Edith.
Very touching and beautiful photos. Happy Thanksgiving to you from Ireland x
carrie´s last blog ..Excerpt from my Dublin diary
I am so happy you thought so, Carrie. Thanks for the holiday wishes winging their way across the big pond!
Meridith, Happy Thanksgiving to you too! Beautiful leaf pic and the post!
Lynda´s last blog ..Happy Thanksgiving all!
Thanks, Lynda! I’m glad you liked the post.
Happy Thanksgiving to you Meredith, and what a wonderful story! I’m counting my many blessings here today for sure.
villager´s last blog ..What’s Cooking
And you’re passing those blessings on, Villager. You are so inspirational!
Such a lovely post, Meredith. I’m not sure who M is but clearly she is blessed to have you in her life.. and vice versa. I love how you seem to be able to find hearts everywhere.. even in the leaves.
Thanks for your visit to my blog today.
Hilary´s last blog ..Upon Reflection
Hilary, M. is my little neighbor who needed some remedial tutoring. She makes rare appearances here.
I was fortunate to be sent on a mission by Brandi Reynolds of JoyRebel.com a little over a year ago where one was meant to look for hearts — and I started seeing them everywhere. It’s amazing, once you’re attuned to anything and focusing on it, how it starts showing up in your life.
wow – that about sums it up doesnt it? I just LOVE to read your reflections on life, and am so glad you are back posting again. M is lucky to have someone like you tutoring her. You definintely have a romance with the English language! Love that heart in the sky! Happy Thanksgiving by the way!
Gillian´s last blog ..Growing ginger
Oh, Gillian, you are super sweet. I appreciate all your kind and encouraging words more than you know.
So glad you liked the heart in the sky, too. It was a wonderful moment to look up and see it shining there.
I’m lucky to have M., too. But then, I think it works that way.
Dear Meredith, You have this uncanny ability to always find tiny hearts in nature. You on the other hand share your very large heart with all of us and others you know. Very moving post. I am thankful for the virtual thread connecting our hearts. I hope you enjoyed the day of Thanksgiving with your family . . . less one, who I am sure you all honored with loving memorable stories.
Carolflowerhillfarm´s last blog ..Misty Milkweed Landscape Hidden Longings for Truth On Wildflower Wednesday
Carol, I’m so touched by your comment, I have tears in my eyes. Sending you a virtual hug and the hope that your Thanksgiving holiday was all that could be wished.
Lovely message for a wonderful holiday. Hope you enjoyed the pecan pie!
Kathy´s last blog ..Please Pass the Garbanzo Beans
Thank you, Kathy. Sadly, nobody made pecan pie! I know, shocking. So it seems I am destined to bake up one of my own just to remedy the defect in the menu.
I must ask; did you kidnap the girl?
Hope you have a great thanksgiving, and whilst it’s not all about food and drink, don’t forget to stuff your face and get plastered!
The Idiot Gardener´s last blog ..Perishing potatoes and shivering salads
IG, I laughed so hard when I read that. Read in a certain tone, it does sound as if I might have kidnapped her and trained her well to be happy she’s still alive while awaiting the ransom.
I did exactly as you suggested on Thanksgiving, by the way. Well, minus the plastering, as I was driving afterward.
Definitely makes one reflect on what matters and to be thankful
meemsnyc´s last blog ..Black friday deals part 1
Mimi, it definitely did for me!
What a different world we would live in if we could all define ‘plenty’ as little M. does!
Elephant’s Eye´s last blog ..An egg- young birds and photos by GINKs
Diana, I think you and everyone who works toward sustainability and focuses on their ecological impact are, in a way, heading us toward a world where ‘plenty’ gets redefined by the culture — as must happen.
what adorable little hearts you have found!
I love your M “lessons”. Maybe as a side project, you’ll consider writing a book for children about some of these stories. Something for ages 7-12. I think you could do an amazing job at that.
Wendy, I would like to write for children. I can’t think of a worthier use of a talent for writing.
What a lovely lesson Meredith. We certainly had plenty this Thanksgiving to be thankful for. I hope you and your family had the same.
Curbstone Valley Farm´s last blog ..Thanksgiving Review 2010
I saw your turkey day post, Clare, and I have to say I really admire you for raising your own, start to finish. Talk about Thanksgiving Day prepared truly from scratch. Amazing!
Love the little nibbled out heart!
I couldn’t agree more, the older I get, the more I value being alive! Having reasonable health and being here on earth. It’s something I’m learning not to take for granted!
Hope you had a wonderful day!
LL Cool Joe´s last blog ..Is a Brit allowed to be thankful
Isn’t it cute?
So often I forget, and then something jars me back to an appreciation of reality, like when I got so sick recently. We are blessed, Joe, for sure.
Love is all around us if we are willing to open our eyes and see and feel! Beautiful pictures and words Meredith!
Nicola Karesh´s last blog ..Faces of Life
Thank you so much, Nicola. It’s so true!
simply perfect.
new here.. lots to read and savour, wow!
Deb, you are too kind. Please make yourself at home here!
Meredith, M. is a wise one indeed
. I hope you had a beautiful holiday.
Susan Tiner´s last blog ..24 A Good Looking Man
Definitely, Susan.
Hoping your holiday was rich and joyful, as well!
PEACE and PLENTY to us all.
Namaste
gemma´s last blog ..Peaceful Interlude
What a beautiful story. The hearts are so … well, enchanting!!! I see them
Thanks for being such a wonderful soul. one love.
wow.. uh…yeah, perspective. for sure.
thank you for sharing.
brandi´s last blog ..just a little yoga tip for this winter season
What a great photograph to pair with such a touching story! The tiny heart is adorable. (Also, I think I really want your camera). Hilarious that she shouted it like she was on a game show — wonderful Thanksgiving message.
Eliza´s last blog ..How to Make Living Flower Pots Ornamental Edible Gardening
Hi Meredith, I’m late in replying. Hope your holiday was fabulous. I go for the pecan pie myself and believe me I had PLENTY! Ah, out of the mouths of babes… Just precious.
I’ve just read this and your previous post, Meredith, and your way with words makes me so glad to be back. I’ve missed your thoughtful, gentle style, and what a lesson to go into the rest of my evening with:
‘We are so very fortunate to be alive. It’s as simple as that.’
See? That deserves its own line, doesn’t it? Good grief, I wish I could articulate the deepseated things in me even half as well as you do. It’s truly uplifting to have you back, Meredith. I hope you never stop writing.
Meredith — Very appropriate Thanksgiving post. Out of the mouths of babes comes the truth…it’s hard to believe people in the country still border on starvation. With the economy and the loss of jobs, I imagine the numbers have increased. It does make you pause.
Regarding your photo of the tree and vine. I love the little yellow heart that’s reaching for tree. It’s such a perfect heart. Great shot:~)
Sara´s last blog ..The Color Red