Sure, I published this in late September of last year, but the subject is timeless, especially at Thanksgiving. - - - We were at my favorite hotel, in my favorite place, for 7 nights. During the stay, I came to realize just how absolutely, positively lucky and fortunate I am.
But it wasn't the quality of the Adler Mountain Lodge, or its location in the Italian Dolomites, that did it.
One morning, late in the breakfast service, I was astounded to see a woman, likely in her 30s, sitting by herself at a table, for an extended period, looking directly away from the windows and their other-worldly views. I thought it so odd that, returning to our room, I made fun of her to Julie, something like "You should have seen the woman seated by herself facing in the wrong direction - who would do that?!"
Worse, later that same day, I cracked to the maître d'hôtel, "Hey - what was up with that woman not looking out the window at breakfast??"
Luckily, he shrugged me off. Looking back now, I can only hope he didn't understand my English.
Because, in fact, the woman in question has a fairly serious intellectual disability. This became obvious when I saw her next, later that night, dining with her parents. Who obviously love and care for her, and always have.
Each time I saw her (I never learned her name) afterwards, I thought both of this gentle soul, but also of her parents, who must carry quite a burden. Every single day: yesterday, today, tomorrow. A burden few - if any of us - have to, or ever will, bear. They were never more than a few feet away from their daughter - which I failed to notice that first morning. They had to be.
Seeing them, in that place, doing what they were doing, made a very powerful impression on me.
Indeed, I made a promise to myself right then and there to stop feeling sorry for myself - about my career perhaps ending prematurely, about this or that job that I haven't gotten since, and about all of the other useless thoughts I have on repeat in my mind.
Instead, I am committed to gratitude. It begins with Julie, goes on to my amazing friends and family, and continues with all of the truly spectacular professional and personal experiences I've had - and am still having.
As we waited to depart the Adler, I snapped this picture, so I would not forget this lovely person, her parents, nor the gratitude I wish to make a habit. They are to the left, and she is on the right, in this photo.
- - - Happy Thanksgiving and please remember how completely fucking awesome life is.
FROM THE UNWASHED MASSES
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
KLUF
I am also grateful that Brian Wilson made this, my favorite album of them all, Pet Sounds. Ten Seconds of Seriousness: What a great album to play with family and friends over this long holiday weekend.
