Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Everyday Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is almost here!

Aside from the bounty of turkey and stuffing, the mounds of mashed potatoes swimming in homemade gravy, and the friends and family that surround us, it is often a day that we take a step back and reflect on what we are thankful for, big things, little things, things we often take for granted. 

Counting ones’ blessing is a surefire way to jump start feelings of gratitude.  

I stumbled across a prayer years ago and it really resonated with me. There have been some rough patches along the way, times that were tougher than I would have liked. Even with many personal and financial challenges, I realized that, I was so very blessed. Let me say that again. So. Very. Blessed.

I read this prayer before Thanksgiving dinner that year, choked up, tears streaming down my face, barely making it to the end:


Everyday Thanksgiving
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings each morning, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. There are many who are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for the gift of life!

It has become our yearly Thanksgiving family tradition for me to recite this prayer. So simple and basic, but always gets to me and is always, always accompanied with tears. Today is no exception. Blubbering away. Tapping on my keyboard. Blubbering. Tapping.

“Every year a tear,” as my son cleverly put it.  I’m blessed to have him in my life. One of my many blessings.

“Everyday Thanksgiving” has even spread to our Christmas traditions, as well as other family events. The attitude of “Everyday Thanksgiving” really ought to be a year-round outlook. Gratitude makes both the sweet and the sour in life sweeter.

What are you thankful for this year?

I am thankful for many things.

While I still assert myself as a non-cat person, I was blessed with a kitten family this year. My favorite little bundle of feline fur is an adorable white and black spotted kitten, akin to a dalmatian or a speckled cow, whom I appropriately named "Deja Moo."

Thank you Deja!! Silly cat that you are.
I’m grateful to have a son who became a college graduate. Proud Mamma. O – H – I – O!

I’m pleased that my family will soon be growing by adding a son-in-law to the mix in a few years, as my daughter is now happily engaged.

I’m thankful that I enjoyed a fun and sun filled vacation in Mexico this year with wonderful people that I’m blessed enough to call my friends.

I’m relieved that this year was a healthy one for my family and me. With a broken jaw for me and an appendicitis from hell for my daughter, the last few years were not as smooth sailing in that department.

I’m grateful that there are some real “turkeys” out there, for they make you appreciate the truly wonderful people that do exist. Some very nasty things were recently said about me and to me. Taken aback initially, in the long run I realized that I was now a strong enough person to not let a “sticks and stones” moment beat me down. One “turkey’s” unfounded opinion doesn’t change a single thing. Gobble, gobble that nonsense elsewhere, but thank you all the same for the affirmation that I am not any of those “words” you threw at me and that I have countless people who love, respect and care about me.

While I have been somewhat lax in my posts as of late, I’m grateful that by starting a blog this year I have fulfilled a dream of mine, to write. I have no idea whether I am a good blogger or not, nonetheless, I’m truly overwhelmed with the positive feedback I have received. Every comment, share and like have meant the world to me. Several people have even thanked me? Seriously? I’m humbled. Truly humbled.

So with that, I am thankful for all of YOU! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Big Turkey Day hugs to everyone of you!

From the "Sherrie Sherrie QC" family to yours, "Happy Thanksgiving!"

Thankful for the cute pilgrim AND Indian pictured here. (Both are my daughter over the years)



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