What Thanksgiving Means To Me
You will notice some additional updates and comments. These were added in November 2023
Thanksgiving is coming. As a family, all my relatives gather together to celebrate life and our love for each other.
Last Friday I took half a day off to get my hair cut and colored in preparation for the big event. While waiting for the highlights to set, I happened to pick up a magazine looking for a recipe for something new to bring to dinner.
Without realizing it, I landed on a page that had an article discussing making a list every day of at least 10 things you were thankful for. I was intrigued and read on.
Inspired, I decided to make my list when I got home and re-read it that night before I went to bed.
Sounds easy enough, but how often do we focus on what we are thankful for, really? Could this be a new way to look at the holiday of Thanksgiving - as a day to remember what we're thankful for?
Update November 2023
Here's what I wrote and I will modify and add to it each day.- I am grateful and thankful for my family. My brothers and sister and their families.
(Today in 2022 we are still in the Covid pandemic. Thousands of people will be venturing out to celebrate with family and friends. this year. I wish my parents, older brother, and all the family and friends who have gone before me were still here. I miss them.) - I am thankful and grateful that many of my relatives are still here on earth.
- The love of my life, Hank - I cherish him, for his never ending optimism, for loving me and his gusto for life.
(Yes, I am still in love with Hank after all these years. His sweetness and love have helped me through many painful moments.) - My friends, each one special and dear to my heart, some live close and some far away.
(Amen to this one!) - Our community and visitors to MotivateUs.com, each one full of life, love and kindness.
(Our community is made up of people from all over the world, all walks of life, and is still growing each and every year. Many have been with me on this journey since 1997 and they have grown and blossomed into extraordinary people. I love you all!) - My 22 year old cat, Smoky. Her call in the morning to awaken me and constant conversation during the day keeps me in tune with the angel inside her.
(Sorry to say that Smoky passed away many years ago and I am thankful for all the new dogs that I can love even more. I am thankful that Hunter, Cedar, Daisy, and Figs come over to visit and play.) - My neighbors, both old and new - helping hands and hearts, no matter what.
(I have the best neighbors in the world. So special and wonderful, they are part of my family. We are a vibrant community of people who really care about each other.) - I am thankful and grateful for a kind man named Larry who helped me so much yesterday. Thank you for all you do.
(Kyle is our guy now. What a wonderful kind soul he is and we always wish him the best.) - I am thankful that I am healthy and strong willed, inquisitive and smart. I am thankful that I can feel my emotions pretty easily and that I try each day to be kind and loving, understanding and patient.
(Some days I miss the mark but I keep trying. Yes, perfection is not what I am going for here :-)) - I am thankful that I have the privilege and honor to be the "Unofficial Ambassador" to the world through MotivateUs.com
- I am thankful and grateful that I lost a business. From this experience I learned humility and pain do not last forever and from the ashes of failure, you can arise again and achieve success.
(This was a hard lesson to learn because I didn't prepare myself for that possibility. Today, I see it was a necessary part of my journey and I am thankful for it. It's part of the process of success. It hurts but you have to keep going forward. No looking back in the rear window.) - I am thankful that I can connect with so many people and help bring out the best in them.
- I am thankful that I have enough food to eat, clean air to breathe and clean water to drink.
- I am thankful that my house is also a home and that it's a warm place for all to gather.
- I am grateful for the sun that shines, the rain that falls, the snow (well I have to keep working on this one).
- I am thankful and grateful for all that I have experienced in my life - both the good times and the bad. Through the laughter and tears I have become a better person.
- I am grateful and thankful that God has allowed me so many years here on earth. I hope he will continue to give me lessons to learn so I may share my experiences with others.
- I am grateful and thankful that I can contribute to society and feel empathy for others who are hurting.
- I am grateful and thankful for you, all of you, every single day!
So you see, I have a lot to be thankful for. I know you do too. If you can take whatever comes into your life and be thankful for the experience and the lessons it was meant to teach you, your life will become easier. After all these years, I still feel the same and love all of you! Happy Thanksgiving!
Copyright © 2006 - 2022 Marlene Blaszczyk
A few more dedicated to Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving Day
The Art of Thanksgiving
The Power of Giving
The Thanksgiving "Special" Bouquet