Thanksgiving Festivating: Rejoicify with Gratitution! 🩷 💚

A Wicked little reflection for your Thanksgiving week.

👇Don’t miss the free gift and special deal at the end of this newsletter!👇

My two daughters and I saw the movie Wicked the other night. I first saw the musical about nineteen years ago and then saw it again at least three more times—a few of “witch” included my daughters—so let’s just say, we were beyond excited.

Galinda 🩷 and Elphaba 💚 did not disappoint!

From the opening scene to the rolling credits, I was captivated by the artistry, dancing, color, cinematography, costumes, and sets. And the music—songs I’ve known for years and never tire of hearing—was, of course, incredible! (The earworms have been running nonstop through my brain ever since.)

Even though I knew the story of this most unexpected friendship, the film moved me to tears several times. The combination of creativity, music, and story filled me to the brim with enough joy and positive energy to last through the upcoming holiday stress. And if my tank runs low, I guess I’ll just have to see it again!

There are many things to love about Wicked, but one aspect I’ve always enjoyed is how the writers play around with words. After seeing the musical, I jotted some down so I wouldn’t forget them, e.g. confusified, braverism, and demanderating. But there were so many in the motion picture, that I couldn’t remember them afterward. So, I asked Google for help and found this Ozian Glossararium.

And, just in time for Thanksgiving, look at these thrillifying words I found!

Festivating: To party raucously and with reckless abandon.

Rejoicify: Origin of Joyce unclear; maybe a friend of Dorothy. Celebrate not once, but several times.

Gratitution: Expression of thanks so strong, the speaker makes up a word on the spot. Feeling of thankfulness.

Aren’t these great? You can bet I’ll be festivating by eating turkey and stuffing with reckless abandon on Thursday! 🍗 🥧

We’ll rejoicify (with my mother-in-law “Joyce” 😄) not once, but several times…on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday…as our kids and grandkids join us for the weekend.

And what about gratitution? Just as the movie overwhelmed me with a sense of joy and positive energy, sometimes I am so overwhelmed by God’s goodness, creativity, beauty, and love that I have no words. In those moments, I hope thankfulness pours out of me not in made-up words, but in a spilling over of his love and blessings toward others.

Will you be festivating this weekend? How will you rejoicify and show your gratitution?

Let me start by letting you know how much I appreciate your support for me as a writer. That you would take precious time out of your day to open the email or app, read my ramblings, and send your good thoughts (or comments 👆) means more than words can say. I feel nothing but gratitution toward you!

So, here are a few made-up words to describe YOU, my dear reader:

Amazeriffic! Specialicious! Funderful!

To show my gratitution, I’m sharing my favorite Thanksgiving Day salad recipe—Autumn Chopped Salad—as a free gift to you! 😋 Mmmm…let the festivating begin!

But wait! There’s more! If you’re searching for some great books to gift this season, check out my Black Friday sale!

Offer good Nov. 27 - Dec. 7, or while supplies last.

Personalized and/or signed copies available.

Wishing you and yours a happy Thanksgiving. May your tank of joy and positivity overflow!