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Thanksgiving and Gratitude

Thanksgiving and Gratitude

November is winding down already and Thanksgiving is upon  us. In other words, ready or not, the holidays are here!

I’ve always been a big fan of Thanksgiving for many reasons. I love the laid back attitude, well unless you’re the cook. I love the time of year. I love the memories of my mom and dad’s team effort to “get the bird in the oven.” I love the sense of family. I love the time set aside to just “be thankful.” And of course, I love the food and eating it with no guilt for at least one day until the leftovers are gone.

As an elementary teacher, Thanksgiving also offered numerous and enticing seasonal opportunities for fun and learning. And then, there were all those projects.

Kids love Thanksgiving projects. So do teachers, or at least this one does. Kids love making pilgrim hats, coloring in cornucopias, preparing and eating mini-feasts, writing and acting out stories about that first Thanksgiving, listing out all things they are thankful for and of course making anything “turkey.”  

 

How many times has your child, or someone else’s child, proudly shown you a drawing of their hand with those five things he or she is thankful for thoughtfully and carefully printed in on each “finger-feather?”

And young kids are amazingly adept at cutting to the chase to honestly and concisely list five things they are most thankful for. Usually they end up listing things like family, friends, pets, air, food, water, nature; you know, the basic stuff.

Like I always say, kids are so smart.

Recently I was sorting through some boxes and found a few of my kids’ old turkey projects. It made me stop and wonder if I could come up with just five things I’m most thankful for.

After some consideration, this is my list of five things for my “turkey hand:”

  • I’m thankful for my home, family and friends. This includes my entire extended family, my on-line friends and of course, all family pets too.
  • I’m thankful for all of my senses that enable me to enjoy life more fully every single day. Here I get to include anything and everything I enjoy seeing, hearing, tasting, touching and smelling every day. I know this might be cheating a little to be so encompassing, but hey, it’s my list.
  • I’m thankful for science and all things medical, otherwise I might not even be here today.
  • I’m thankful for any and all who read my blog, so if you’re reading, I’m thankful for you!
  • Lastly, I’m thankful for being alive because, well, without that there’s no need for a list is there?

                                                                                               via Catherine at Bumpy Boobs                                              

So that’s my list.

What’s on yours?

 

                        Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

What are you most thankful for?

What will you do for Thanksgiving?

What do you like about Thanksgiving?

Lindsay

Sunday 27th of November 2011

Even with the crazy shopping season starting, the strangers I pass out and about seem to have a calmer energy than usual around Thanksgiving. That's good to see. I'm sure it's because people give themselves permission to take some time off from work (for once!) and they get to relax and spend time with family or maybe do the things they love and normally don't make time for.

I am thankful for my family and friends of course. I am also thankful for being healthy and for the freedom to live my life the way I want to live it.

Nancy

Monday 28th of November 2011

Lindsay, That's an interesting observation. I think you're right that people might give themselves permission at this time of year to take some time off from work. The holidays allow people to focus a bit less on work and more on family and that's a good thing for sure. Thanks for sharing what you're thankful for. We missed you at TG!

Alli

Friday 25th of November 2011

Well we celebrate Thanksgiving in October. Ours is based on the final harvest in Canada. However that being said. I love the way my American neighbours celebrate. The preparation the food and family. In fact I had posted a blog on this the other day.. But if I were to say what I am grateful for it would be my friends who support me in some of my most difficult moments.. My son who has been a joy to me over the years. A good cup of coffee. Nancy your blog is one of the first I read because there is always something interesting going on..

Happy Thanksgiving !!

Nancy

Friday 25th of November 2011

Alli, Thanksgiving is a pretty big deal in the US, that's for sure. I'm with you on that good cup of coffee. Sometimes it's the little things that mean a lot too isn't it? I'm glad you have people you can count on, Alli. Everybody needs at least one person to lean on when things get tough. Thank you so much for commenting and for saying such a nice thing about my blog. I always look forward to reading yours as well.

connie

Wednesday 23rd of November 2011

Love your blog. I miss my father, mother, one sister and a brother. I am thankful to the good Lord up above for letting me be cancer free and having my gifts that he gave me and for my 16 grand kids.

Nancy

Thursday 24th of November 2011

Connie, Thank you for saying you love my blog, that means a lot to me. I'm sorry for the losses you mention. I hope you have many happy memories of those loved ones to think about during the holidays. Thanks for sharing a few things you are thankful for. Enjoy those grand kids! And thanks for reading my blog.

Dianne Duffy

Wednesday 23rd of November 2011

This year I am thankful to be alive. You just can't know how big this is. This is the first year since diagnosis (in 2008) that I have felt this way. In 2008 at this time I was still going through chemo, had just attended th funerals of 2 special friends who died of cancer and had unrelenting pain leftover from surgery. The next two years were full of procedures and medications trying to diagnose and treat that same pain. As it turns out, those medications were causing a deep (suicidal) depression. I thought it was me. As soon as the medication was stopped, the depression lifted. This year I stopped the Tamoxifen too, and now I am back to myself. Yes I still have the constant pain, but by using a topocal cream it is tolerable. But now I have mind back and my life. This year I am truly glad to be alive. Thanks for writing, Nancy. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Nancy

Thursday 24th of November 2011

Dianne, I'm sorry you have had such a difficult past few years. I'm so glad you made important decisions about your medications and have found something else that works reasonably well for you instead. It must be great to feel like your old self again and as you said, have your life back. I'm very happy for you. Thank you for sharing, Dianne. My best.

Being Sarah

Wednesday 23rd of November 2011

Hi Nancy, as you know we don't have thanksgiving over here in the UK... but I'm thankful for the online community of bloggers and friends I have. Including you. Best, Sarah PS Enjoy the holiday!

Nancy

Wednesday 23rd of November 2011

Being Sarah, Yes, I realize everyone isn't celebrating TG like we are over here in the US. I wonder how many countries do have a day with such a designation actually... I know Canada does. Thanks for commenting. I'm very grateful for your friendship as well, Sarah. Hope you are healing well.