By mksummerbell

Being thankful in the moment can be as joyfully perspective-shifting as being thankful in retrospect. This Labor Day, in keeping with our forty-four-year family tradition, my daughter, grandsons and I headed toward Edgerton, Wisconsin, for Thresheree. Even just stepping out of my house, I was already thankful for the absolutely artworthy, perfect weather – sunshine, blue, blue sky, with luminous, white, cumulus clouds drifting by, looking as if they were painted there by some great master of real-life animation. 

Starting at the gate, driving into the park, I yelled, “Thank you!” out my car window to each sunbaked volunteer directing us to a parking place. One fellow yelled back, “Thank you!” Mutual gratitude. A great beginning to any day. I felt a little exhilarated, my heart fluttering lightly in my chest.   

All day I was so filled with gratitude that I amazed myself. Though I know very little about it, I certainly appreciate all the old farm machinery – the art of it, the crafting, the inventiveness, the ingenuity. Beautiful. Reflecting on all this, I give thanks for the minds and hands that created these machines, and the farmers who worked in necessary and respectful partnership with them, to raise and harvest crops to feed us all.

The wonder of them – all still working – though some are over a century old. This awes me deeply. As, also, the costly, careful, and time-consuming process of each vehicle’s restoration. Impressive.

To think of the people who know and live in practical and loving relationship with these machines, often for generations, it’s hard for a heart to not be touched by it all. 

I was grateful that day for so many things. For my health – being pain-free, able to walk easily, with not so much as a mosquito bite, or blister, or pebble in my shoe to hinder my way. Thankful to be with my family, to see the sights and talk to friendly strangers together. For cool, clear drinking water, and hot buttered corn on the cob, (one piece free!), and soft-serve ice-cream. I even said, “Oh, thanks,” to no one in particular, when I looked up and saw someone on a machine sprinkling the walkways with water to decrease the dust – the better for everyone to breathe. 

I don’t know what factors and/or energies converged to set the tone for this summery thanksgiving. But I do know it felt so good to be part of this community event. With appreciation and gratitude, my whole experience felt expanded and elevated. Delightful.