Requisite Thanksgiving Day ‘What I’m Thankful for’ Post

I’ll admit, this is a hard one. I made some false starts, which is why it’s a little late. It’s been a mean season for so many of us.

I AM grateful, though nearly everything on my gratitude list falls into the “it could’ve been so much worse” category. Still counts, right? There are so many people so much worse off than me.

Hurricane Helene

These days, it seems like every conversation in these parts begins and ends with Helene, a storm that plowed through my beloved mountains near the end of September, leaving unprecedented destruction in its wake.

Here in Asheville, she was cruel and capricious, all but wiping out the River Arts District, home to the artists, restaurants and breweries that are such an important part of the fabric of this special town.

She sent water hurtling through our river valleys, scraping away lives and livelihoods—families that had lived there for generations. Other neighborhoods that were all but untouched by floodwaters saw centuries-old trees come down—often on the houses they framed and shaded. Forty percent of the trees in Buncombe County were damaged or destroyed.

So.

1. I am grateful that my house is on high ground, and built of stone. We had already replaced many of the iffy bits that might have blown loose when a hurricane hits a nearly 100-year-old house (roof, shutters, gutters, windows.) They held tight.

2. I am thankful that no trees fell on our house, though one of our trees fell on the neighbor’s driveway. Soon after we moved in, we had an arborist inspect the trees on our property. He recommended that we take down three of them, all planted around the time the house was built. “Sooner or later,” he said, “those trees will end up on top of your house.” Based on our neighbors’ experiences, he was right.

3. I am grateful that we had a place to go, when home became unlivable for a time. Camping is not that appealing at my age, especially when it is at a time and in a place and in weather not of my choosing.

4. I am thankful for good neighbors—so many good neighbors who turned out to help each other when other help couldn’t get there. Good neighbors who are still helping. You are my heroes.

5. I am thankful for the money, personnel, and expertise from the federal, state, and local governments. Thank you, Buncombe County, Asheville City, North Carolina, FEMA, and the Army Corps of Engineers. A special shout-out to the Asheville City Water Department and contractors who worked day and night to restore drinkable water to customers in its service areas.

6. Two months out, the need is still great. Overnight, the Asheville region went from the state’s lowest unemployment rate to its highest. Many small businesses (restaurants, shops, small manufacturing) will not open their doors again without continuing help. These are not the foolish people you hear about who build their homes on sand, only to see them wash away. They built their dreams on rock and hard work, and I hope they get the support they need to recover. Looking at you, North Carolina General Assembly. (Woops, I’m veering away from thanksgiving to hopes and prayers and politics.)

7. I’m left with “guiltitude”: gratitude that I came through relatively unscathed, mingled with guilt that I came through relatively unscathed, setting aside my broken heart.

Family

1. We welcomed two grandsons this year—our first grandchildren, six weeks apart. We’ve come late to grandparenting, as we did to parenting—so late that I thought perhaps that we would have none at all. Still, I resisted the temptation to apply pressure or offer unsolicited advice. When my son finally asked me what I thought, I said, “I can’t tell you what to do. It’s your decision. What I can say is that you and your brother have brought me great joy. I would hate for you to miss out on that.” So here comes joy, which is always attended by the possibility of heartbreak. Because when you have children, you send your vulnerable heart out into the world

2. Speaking of heartbreak, my healthy, athletic, non-drinking, non-smoking, new father, 30-something son had a mild stroke. He is recovering, but the doctors are still trying to sort out why it might have happened (it might have been related to a sports injury) with a view of making sure it doesn’t happen again. This falls into the category of “it could have been much worse.” I am grateful that he lives in an area with top-notch healthcare, and he is covered by good insurance. I am grateful for the network of family and friends who came together to ask the right questions, get the good information, and provide this young family with the support they needed.

Professional

I’ve already told you that I welcomed my fifteenth book to the world in October. Yes, Bane of Asgard was released during the aftermath of the hurricane, when roads were closed and the official “launch” was cancelled. But books sometimes make their own way, from reader to reader, through word of mouth, the advocacy of librarians and teachers and booksellers and reviewers.

All fifteen of my books are still in print—I am grateful that they still find readers. I’m so very grateful to continue to do this work.