Something to be Grateful About
"There is no use in trying," said Alice; "one can't believe impossible things."
"I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast". Lewis Carroll
Tis the season to count, days until the end of the year, lists of things to do for the holidays, people to remember to call and on and on, but most importantly this week in particular is a good time to count all of those things we are grateful for and I'm not talking just about turkey and pumpkin pie.
Tuesday November 25 was particularly one of those nights in which I thought how incredibly lucky I am and it not only inspired me to count all those things I am grateful for, but to also make a comeback at this blogging thing. I know it's been a while, people have asked, "What happened? When will you return?" And I thought, today is a good day...this week is ideal. A week in which we can gather round the table and share without the pressure of gift giving, date keeping etc...It is simply a time to eat, drink and laugh. My very favorite things to do.
Where should I begin? How about with my own version of Thanksgiving in Barcelona. Last week, yes a week early, I decided to celebrate an authentic Thanksgiving dinner and share this holiday with those that have continued to make my life an adventure and full of excitement. And so, as a gift I took a shot at making my very first turkey! Not just that, but I asked everyone to bring a dish to add to the festivity. The table was laid out with mashed potatoes, an autumn salad, canapes, tiramisu, pumpkin pie and the Turkey, stuffing, gravy, the works and it was truly magical.
As we sat down to cheer the things we are grateful for I realized how truly lucky I am and how proud it makes me to be sitting with people who have never celebrated this event but managed to make it so authentic and special for me, almost as if I never left home. Those who have continuously made Barcelona feel like home to me.
And then Tuesday night was the final wrap up of how much I love living. I am sure you all know what it is like to receive a message or a call saying, "You probably know this, but just in case, your favorite musician is playing tonight." And no, I didn't know Andrew Bird was playing and yes the concert was completely sold out and after calling the place to see if there was any chance at all I could get in and the very tired and dry receptionist telling me clearly, "No.It was sold out days ago and you would be a very lucky girl if you could get in with no contacts or ticket..."and I heard that word no and I thought, "perfect", I'll give it a shot. I gathered all my energy and made my way down to the Apolo, knowing I would probably have to wait a couple of hours...(did I mention I had never done this before and he is very high on my favorites list??). And so I counted my lucky stars and headed out. After speaking with a few of the door guys and having them repeat to me that I would be very lucky to get in, 45 minutes of waiting, in the distance I hear,"Is anyone looking for tickets?" Me ME MEEEEEE!!! and he looks at me and says, "But you're alone and I have two and I plan on only selling it to two people." And the tourist, a young and quiet boy who only spoke English and had also been waiting for his moment of luck standing next to me, says, "It's my last night in Barcelona and it would be a dream. I want one too..." And after some negotiating, I, Heidi Schmidt, got to see Andrew Bird. Live, front row because Barca was playing a major match and the guy and his girlfriend preferred to see them and not the show.
(Pica d'Estats--the highest point in Catalunya)
Once I was seated and Andrew Bird whipped out his violin and got the megaphones spinning, tears welled up in my eyes and I thought, yes...this is when the impossible becomes possible. Which led me to think about all those impossible things that have made up my life up until now. The meeting of you, reading this right now, the moving to my dream towns and somehow making it work, not just work but happen incredibly well. The climbing two enormous mountains this last year to prove that my height of fears is simply a fear, the grabbing of a surf board in the waters of the Basque Country and standing up against all odds on the first day, learning a new language and the culture that comes entitled with it, the feeling that no matter what, somehow things will all work out, even if they are how or when you least expect them and most importantly, the doing of that in which you most believe in, even if the odds are against you. Then of course the basics, having a home, family, friends, food to indulge in, fresh water to drink and the awareness that not every one has it and so you must ALWAYS share, even if it is just a smile and your last slice of bread.
(Mary Katherine and I in the Basque Country)
As I sat alone in that dark concert hall with the dim red lights that remind me so much of The Filmore in San Francisco, I thought of all of you. Every single one of you and how grateful I am that at some point in your life and mine you have crossed my path and brought the unimaginable to me. Making the impossible so simply and genuinely real.
Thank you
and Happy Thanksgivings...now it's your turn, eat your heart outs and count, the good counting kind...
"I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast". Lewis Carroll
Tis the season to count, days until the end of the year, lists of things to do for the holidays, people to remember to call and on and on, but most importantly this week in particular is a good time to count all of those things we are grateful for and I'm not talking just about turkey and pumpkin pie.
Tuesday November 25 was particularly one of those nights in which I thought how incredibly lucky I am and it not only inspired me to count all those things I am grateful for, but to also make a comeback at this blogging thing. I know it's been a while, people have asked, "What happened? When will you return?" And I thought, today is a good day...this week is ideal. A week in which we can gather round the table and share without the pressure of gift giving, date keeping etc...It is simply a time to eat, drink and laugh. My very favorite things to do.
Where should I begin? How about with my own version of Thanksgiving in Barcelona. Last week, yes a week early, I decided to celebrate an authentic Thanksgiving dinner and share this holiday with those that have continued to make my life an adventure and full of excitement. And so, as a gift I took a shot at making my very first turkey! Not just that, but I asked everyone to bring a dish to add to the festivity. The table was laid out with mashed potatoes, an autumn salad, canapes, tiramisu, pumpkin pie and the Turkey, stuffing, gravy, the works and it was truly magical.
As we sat down to cheer the things we are grateful for I realized how truly lucky I am and how proud it makes me to be sitting with people who have never celebrated this event but managed to make it so authentic and special for me, almost as if I never left home. Those who have continuously made Barcelona feel like home to me.
And then Tuesday night was the final wrap up of how much I love living. I am sure you all know what it is like to receive a message or a call saying, "You probably know this, but just in case, your favorite musician is playing tonight." And no, I didn't know Andrew Bird was playing and yes the concert was completely sold out and after calling the place to see if there was any chance at all I could get in and the very tired and dry receptionist telling me clearly, "No.It was sold out days ago and you would be a very lucky girl if you could get in with no contacts or ticket..."and I heard that word no and I thought, "perfect", I'll give it a shot. I gathered all my energy and made my way down to the Apolo, knowing I would probably have to wait a couple of hours...(did I mention I had never done this before and he is very high on my favorites list??). And so I counted my lucky stars and headed out. After speaking with a few of the door guys and having them repeat to me that I would be very lucky to get in, 45 minutes of waiting, in the distance I hear,"Is anyone looking for tickets?" Me ME MEEEEEE!!! and he looks at me and says, "But you're alone and I have two and I plan on only selling it to two people." And the tourist, a young and quiet boy who only spoke English and had also been waiting for his moment of luck standing next to me, says, "It's my last night in Barcelona and it would be a dream. I want one too..." And after some negotiating, I, Heidi Schmidt, got to see Andrew Bird. Live, front row because Barca was playing a major match and the guy and his girlfriend preferred to see them and not the show.
(Pica d'Estats--the highest point in Catalunya)Once I was seated and Andrew Bird whipped out his violin and got the megaphones spinning, tears welled up in my eyes and I thought, yes...this is when the impossible becomes possible. Which led me to think about all those impossible things that have made up my life up until now. The meeting of you, reading this right now, the moving to my dream towns and somehow making it work, not just work but happen incredibly well. The climbing two enormous mountains this last year to prove that my height of fears is simply a fear, the grabbing of a surf board in the waters of the Basque Country and standing up against all odds on the first day, learning a new language and the culture that comes entitled with it, the feeling that no matter what, somehow things will all work out, even if they are how or when you least expect them and most importantly, the doing of that in which you most believe in, even if the odds are against you. Then of course the basics, having a home, family, friends, food to indulge in, fresh water to drink and the awareness that not every one has it and so you must ALWAYS share, even if it is just a smile and your last slice of bread.
(Mary Katherine and I in the Basque Country)As I sat alone in that dark concert hall with the dim red lights that remind me so much of The Filmore in San Francisco, I thought of all of you. Every single one of you and how grateful I am that at some point in your life and mine you have crossed my path and brought the unimaginable to me. Making the impossible so simply and genuinely real.
Thank you
and Happy Thanksgivings...now it's your turn, eat your heart outs and count, the good counting kind...
posted by Heidi Schmidt at 6:30 PM
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