This was our first Thanksgiving in Ocala, Florida (and will probably be our last). Through no fault of anyone other than our upstairs neighbors (it’s more of a structural thing than them–except they work odd hours, coming in late and leaving very early in the mornings), and that the friends we have here aren’t any more social than the ones we left behind in south Florida. Sad to say. Granted, a few were ill and no one can blame them for not wanting to get together, but some didn’t even call or message. And I’m not the type to invite ourselves to someone’s house for Thanksgiving, even friends we’d had Thanksgiving with before.

If you would rather listen instead of read, play the audio:

It is what it was

If I sound a little sad or aggravated, I guess I have been. But I’m working on my DE-Program process (Integrating the Spirals) and “letting it go.” Writing this post helps. It is what it was. I know we’re all adjusting to a “new normal.” I just wish people wouldn’t ignore us/or anyone. I don’t think it’s healthy to stay “shut in.” Of course, I am all for doing stuff on my own, Ms. Independent here. But I think all this time during COVID has really punctuated the point of getting together with others. I love my monthly Zoom calls, but hanging out in person–well, there’s so much that could be said for camaraderie.

Who did you celebrate with?

Our little local restaurant (we walk to) was closed for Thanksgiving day, so we ordered our food the day before. And then, I reheated our food on Thanksgiving day. And it was all delicious–more on that and pictures in a few minutes!

Our longtime friend, Nancy, sent us a bag of organic lemons. I call these our Sarah lemons because they grow on a lemon tree I gave Nancy years ago when her daughter, Sarah passed away. And Sarah loved lemons. Nancy was going to drive a couple hours to come visit us before Thanksgiving but I was sick that day, so she mailed these instead.
The day before Thanksgiving we walked to our little local restaurant to have a cup of Christmas cheer with our bartender friend, Rob. My mom always used to have a cocktail on Thanksgiving and call it her “Christmas cheer.” So, this was a special pumpkin martini and I thought of her as I enjoyed it.
One of my mom’s handkerchiefs, the Avon nativity set (that my mom and I had both collected one each when she sold Avon), a ceramic angel that was a gift, and a glass Christmas plate. I’m also putting a Christmas globe out, with a blue Fenton Art Glass deer, but otherwise, that’s all I’m doing to decorate the apartment for Christmas.
I have to glue one of the gifts/hands that broke from one of the wise men. This is a closeup of the Avon ceramic nativity scene. I put it on our bar so I could meditate on it while I wash dishes in the sink. I typically have a Fenton candy dish sitting on mom’s handkerchief in this location.

I mused over some of the things I have from mom and dad, grandparents, and cousins. One gift I wear often is from my first cousin Greg–a garnet string of chip crystals. I’m always so thankful for the gifts from family (I have so few of those kinds of momentos). I love useful gifts or things I can wear to remember my loved ones. How about you? Do you do that too–think of your loved ones when you use or wear things they gave you? To me, that’s the heart of holidays like Thanksgiving.

Alone together

So, I called some family friends who were also alone for Thanksgiving, and enjoyed our phone calls, but Richard and I celebrated Thanksgiving alone this year.

I have a strong feeling that we’ll be up north with family next summer and thus, won’t even be living in Florida this time next year to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends. Oh, well! I’m glad we did it when we did a few years ago and will have to settle on simply being grateful “We did that then.”

We had turkey, stuffing (dressing), a very small amount of bourbon gravy, which was new to us, and green bean casserole, also new to us and very creamy and cheesy. We also had carrots and potatoes and a fantastic yam/sweet potato casserole with little marshmallows on top–I hadn’t had one of those casseroles in years!

We ended our Thanksgiving feast with a slice of chocolate cream pie (as I’ve been doing a lot lately reminiscent of my dad–he always loved a good chocolate cream pie. I found the Edwards brand in the store freezer case and have decided it’s the best for the price for us now).

What “food” holiday do you celebrate?

What similar holiday do you celebrate in your country?

I love Diwali in India. I’ve celebrated it several times with coworkers. It will be one of the things I miss when I retire. Actually, I’ve worked at home for the last 6.5 years, so come to think of it, I haven’t celebrated Diwali in person with anyone for a long time. I love Indian food, so it used to be one of the holidays I always looked forward to when I worked in an office–all that delicious food!

Giving thanks for ALL

I love gifts that keep on giving. Here’s the new crystal bracelet from one of my cousins who I met recently on Facebook–she makes these. I bought one to match for my daughter, and then one each for our three granddaughters in their favorite colors for Christmas. And I’m wearing Color Street polish on my fingernails, which I’ll post about next (my daughter is a Color Street stylist). I’m still juicing these lemons from Sarah’s lemon tree too. I think I will get them all used up before they spoil without even needing to freeze the juice.

Yours in expanding, thankful, revolving, spiraling consciousness,

To our better health, ease, joy, and sustainment in JOY!

Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey

p.s. My 4th book is on Amazon and the link where you can check it out if you like: Have Yourself a Wholly Vibrant Life: Reversing Asthma and Other Chronic Illness Naturally

Audio provided by Otter.

We’re really never alone

Energy/Omniscience (Omnism) governs ALL. Omniscience knows ALL. Omniscience is always with you. You are never alone.

My online Zoom video course, Integrating the Spirals is more timely now than ever because I know people are suffering. (Let me know if you’re interested in working through the Integrating the Spirals course.)

The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

About us

My husband is an award-winning illustrator, plus he’s a seasoned guitarist, bass player, and songwriter (with over 400 original songs). You can view some of his artwork and listen to all of his songs at: http://listen4music.com

Here’s a video of us performing on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/416711742?ref=fb-share

About me, your Spiral Sister



I would love to speak at your bookstore, crystal shop, acupuncture/chiropractor office, natural health foods store, art fair, music, or yoga festival. I support healthy lifestyle businesses. 

I invite you to check out my new metaphysical book–Blue Eyes: Ethereal Messages of Connection. There are two versions (Kindle and paperback) on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3WV68KF

I’m an Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving” available on Amazon.

Connecting…

For more spiritual and esoteric updates, who we’re connecting with in Ocala, Florida and more, follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeonyour

23 thoughts on “Our Thanksgiving 2023”

  6. Well!! So many things I did not know. Loved reading about family gifts. Wished I could have delivered those lemons in person. That tree has blessed us with an abundance of lemons since you gifted us with it in memory of Sarah going on 10 years soon❤️Your Thanksgiving was beautiful. If I had more children and grandchildren I would move closer to them too. I moved to Florida to be closer to my family. We are dwindling in numbers😞

    Merry Christmas Sheila and Richard.

    Your long time, long distance friend,

    Nancy

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  8. Pingback: “Our Thanksgiving 2023″/Integrating the Spirals | By the Mighty Mumford

  9. A very interesting and insightful read Sheila. There are many factors in your life that are similar to many others too. Our own included in aspects of your writings here. Of course the Covid isolation factor changed life completely for many. Moving distance too. Away from social sources that were more energetic and vibrant. And work related changes, which although more professional than social, still meant a camaraderie existed. Shared familiarity. I suppose that is why blogging assists the ability to function socially, albeit with theme and words as exchanges. Not human presence. I recently read a wonderful blog piece regarding a Mother’s view on her family at distance and the need to be in amongst human touch. When I nursed patients during Covid at its height, the isolation for elderly patients was heartbreaking. Families could not visit properly and come into the hospital. Standing outside and looking in through windows. I suppose those scenarios will be there in my mind forever. We have just said goodbye to family who visited us and stayed for three days. It was the first time seeing them in person for many months. I just wrote an outline blog draft on it! Be good if you yourself re-find a more familiar lifestyle of interactive dynamics again through moving. Great post here. It will be a familiar scenario to many readers. All the best and good fortune.

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    1. Yes, Gray. The need for human touch. You sure witnessed that during your nursing career (especially during COVID). How heartbreaking/gut-wrenching indeed for families to be separated by glass windows during hospital (and nursing home) visits! Ugh!

      I am thankful for our blogging community as it provides some measure of connection and continuity of life. I so appreciate your feedback. I’m glad you and your wife got to spend recent in-person time with loved ones.
      I always appreciate your well wishes, and send ours along to you both.

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  10. I’ve been saying yes to doing things with people… Which I used to do all the time but as I was learning solitude and began to really enjoy it I found that I started saying no to everything people asked of me… So I recently consciously chose to start saying yes and following through with it that part is very important too the following through with it… I can appreciate your blog here because I honestly never have thought about how the other person may feel when I do not follow through or I just say no from the get-go… Thank you for your assistance to see consciously both sides… Thank you for this Thanksgiving 😉🤗

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