13 Things For Which I Give Thanks

I give thanks for many things. This week of gratitude would not be complete without listing these in particular.

FAMILY

I give thanks for Family--Image of family members posing with the Grinch

I give thanks for family--Image of extended family members around a round table, enjoying Chinese food,

INCLUDING GRANDCHILDREN

Near and Far

(in no particular order of preference or date)

Image of my grandson and I mugging for the camera, one more of the  13 things for which I am thankful
Images of three of siblings, grandchildren who are one of the  13 things for which I am thankfulone of my youngest grandchildren in the park--another of the  13 things for which I am thankful

FURRY FAMILY

Image of my young pup snuggling with my oldest yorkie, more of the  13 things for which I am thankful

FRIENDS

Imagine YOUR photograph here.

You thought I’d try to put in photos of all my friends? I love you all! I would not want to miss any of you.

HOME

that shelters me from all kinds of weather

Photo taken from my front door shows my porch & neighborhood in near white out conditions. A roof over my head is one of the  13 things for which I am thankful

 snowmagedon 2013

FOOD3 homemade pumpkin pies on my counter, food is one of  13 things for which I am thankful

COFFEE

the elixir of my life!

A cup of coffee--definitely one of 13 things for which I am thankful
Latte Art by Morten Rand-Hendrickson Flickr CC

MEDICINE

and how modern medicine has sustained the lives of those I love

Image of a 1920s medical office, photo taken at the St Joseph Hospital museum. Medicine is another of the 13 things for which I am thankful.

MUSIC

all varieties


Treble cleft and notes, Music is one of 13 things for which I am thankful

TECHNOLOGY

icons on iphone, another of the 13 things for which I am thankful

image of an open notebook with a pen, an open laptop computer, a cup of coffee and an iphone--more of the 13 things for which I am thankful

NATURE

in all its variety

an image of a waterfall surround by lush greenery and pink flowers--nature is another of the 13 things for which I am thankful

My Health

FINISHING MY EVERLASTING MANUSCRIPT!

 I give thanks because I could type these words image of the words THE END.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Have a safe and happy day and, of course, stuff yourself with all your favorite foods. But also, take a moment to be grateful for the people, places, animals, and things that make your life better. Need some ideas? Here are 20 weird things I’m grateful for. Remember, you are one of the 13 things for which I give thanks. Thank you for reading, for coming back, and for all your support.

 

Thankful for what we cannot see

Music, poetry, love, the air that we breathe are some of the things we cannot see. Josh Groban’s song “Thankful for what we cannot see” is a reminder to be grateful for those things.

I am so grateful for all of those things but most of all I am thankful for hope and peace. Yes, peace is an idea. An idea that is different for each and every one of us but represents so much of what is good in us. Despite all that is happening in the world, I choose to believe in and be thankful for my fellow man, in goodness, and in peace.

Connections: Nature Beauty Gratitude

I have always found connecting with nature to be restorative. This TED talk “Connections: Nature Beauty Gratitude” takes that connection even further.

This is part of my special week of Giving Thanks. Inspired by this talk, I want to take a moment to say how very grateful I am for you, my readers. You give me your time and attention and share thoughts with me. Thank you.

Connections: Nature Beauty Gratitude

I have always found nature restorative. This TED talk reminds us to make connections: nature beauty gratitude. Perhaps you’ll get a little inspiration, feel a little extra gratitude because of this video.

This is part of my special week of Thanks Giving. Inspired by this talk, I want to take a moment to say how very grateful I am for you, my readers. You give me your time and attention and share thoughts with me. Thank you.

Alone for the Holidays

It is Thanksgiving Week. There are many, many things for which I am grateful beyond words, but this isn’t a post about gratitude. It’s about being alone for the holidays. 

The holidays can be particularly stressful for those people who believe the holiday is about what should be done, for people who cannot be with family, for people who have had recent personal challenges or tragedies, and for people who feel alone.

I have spent holidays mourning and struggling. I have spent holidays alone. It took years before I felt comfortable doing what I needed at those times. I know I would have appreciated a few tips during that time, so I’m offering these few to you.

If you are among those who are struggling with personal challenges or losses, remember it’s okay to feel whatever you are feeling at this time. I think Karen Mcfarland says it best: sometimes Reality Bites.

Self Care

If you are alone for the first time this holiday, be kind to yourself. Sheila Weinstein reinvented her life after the death of her husband of 50 years. Her blog is about the holidays after the loss of a loved one, however, it applies to anyone who needs suggestions on how to be kind to yourself at this time of year. Here she shares ten tips on how to Make Your Holiday a Good One.

Perhaps, you simply do not celebrate Thanksgiving or you have chosen to be alone. August Mclaughlin gives us some hints on learning to enjoy time alone. Her post is about writing but it can apply to anyone who needs a little Sweet Solitude.

No Rules

Holidays have a lot of emotional baggage attached to them. Family traditions, co-workers, television shows, even commercials pound us with expectations for the holiday. Remember, there are no rules about this or any other holiday. You don’t have to give the holiday the power to make you feel worse in any way. The holiday is what YOU make it. Take charge of the holidays. Make it what you need it to be.

Whatever is going on in your life, my wish for you this Thanksgiving and holiday season is a moment of peace, a moment of gratitude, and a bounty of blessings.

alone for the holidays, lynettemburrows.com

 

First posted 11/24/11    Reposted and edited 11/20/17

This is the first in a week-long series of posts for the holiday.