Happy Thanksgiving

It is that time of year again.  Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  This is a favorite holiday of mine.  A  time of giving thanks; a time of gratitude...  When I was a little girl, we always had Thanksgiving at our house.  I loved it.  My mom would bake the turkey, and I remember loving to help her baste it.  Another favorite thing I remember about Thanksgiving is afterward, my sisters and I would go in our bedroom and watch the newest episode of "Friends".  Okay, the "Friends" episode is really at the bottom of my list of "What my childhood Thanksgivings were like", but I must be honest that it was a fun part for us.  In all seriousness, I loved it when our family would get together.  When I was really small, I remember my great grandfather being at our home.  We called him "Pop's" and also "Papa".  He was a wonderful man, and lived until he was 92 years old.  I was 12 years old when he passed away.  I remember he would always bring a six pack of Heineken for my dad.  It was Pop's way of showing appreciation.  Heineken is a German beer, and at the time was considered one of the best, and it was not cheap.  It was a thoughtful act on my Papa's part, and my dad always appreciated it.

In recent years, I have not had many Thanksgivings with my family back home, but I have had the opportunity to spend them with my husband and his family.  A tradition that my husband and I have on Thanksgiving is to talk about what we are thankful for while we are at the dinner table.  I am not sure if this is a tradition that his family started, or if it was just the two of us.  In any case, it is what I look forward to most (the second runner up would undoubtedly be the pumpkin pie).  I decided that I would write down some of the things I am thankful for and why.  You may have noticed the word "some" in my previous sentence?  This is because I am thankful for so many things.  I truly could go on and on, but I will only write a few down for my blog.

Here they are (in no particular order):

1.)  The Service Men and Women in our Country...

Each year that passes, I see myself sitting at a dinner table with the one (or one's depending on how many people I am with) I love.  There is good food, good company, and a feeling of love and home no matter where I am.  In that moment, my mind feels a pull for all the men and women who volunteer to serve our country, and I think of the one's who are far away from home.  They are making such a sacrifice each day.  I think of them who are away from their spouses, children, parents, and how much they must miss being home, and how sorely they are missed.  I think of them a lot, but especially on Thanksgiving.  I thank them in my heart, in my prayer, and hope that they know how much someone like me appreciates all they do.

2.)  My Many Luxuries and Freedoms...

It is especially on Thanksgiving where I reflect on the many luxuries I have in my life.  I have a roof over my head, food in my cupboards and refrigerator.  I have a refrigerator, a car, a job.  I live in a wonderful place where I feel safe and happy.  I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness on Thanksgiving.  I usually have a wonderful meal, and I think of all the people in the world who are hungry.  Other things I am grateful for are that I live in a country where I can walk down the street unaccompanied.  I can say hello to a perfect stranger on the street and not feel scared.  These are everyday luxuries and freedoms that so many of us have.  There are too many people who think they should have all these things "just because".  I wish everyone looked at the things I listed above as "luxuries" because that is exactly what they are.  Our grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. did not have many of these things in their lives, and many of these people lived happy lives.  I hope to someday teach my children that these things are not to be expected.  They are luxuries.  I know I am saying that word a lot, but I don't care: luxuries, Luxuries... LUXURIES!

3.) Knowledge...

I am grateful for the opportunities I have to learn.  I can learn all I want.  I now understand that I will be learning forever.  I am thankful for the accessibility I have to books and other resources.  I am a stones throw to a library.  That is amazing.  Last year I was having severe anxiety issues.  I will always have anxiety, but I have learned many ways to deal with it.  I will have times that are better than others, but it is so wonderful that I have that knowledge!  I remember hearing the phrase, "Knowledge is Power!"  That is a simple truth.  Amen to that!

4.) Circle of Family and Friends...

I love my family and friends.  I feel so loved and supported.  Within this last year, I became a member of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, (say that ten times fast!) and I was very nervous how my family and friends would react to that knowledge.  I was met with unconditional love and support.  This is something I am incredibly grateful for.  I feel the most content and at peace I have in a long time (maybe my whole life).  I feel like I am more me then I ever was.  What a wonderful feeling it is to know that my family and friends love and support my decision to be me.  I love my family and friends so very much.

5.) My Husband...

Yes... my husband is my "family", but he is so much more.  He is a strong man who teaches me every day.  He is level minded, smart, funny, supportive, loving, thoughtful... the list goes on!  I want him to know that I thank the Lord everyday for finding him!  He makes me want to be a better person.  He challenges me to face my fears.  He has many qualities that I strive to attain.  He is patient with me (well... except when I am driving, or have anything to do with the car when he is in it... haha).  In all seriousness, I love my husband am thankful for him every day of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and I hope you have many things to be grateful for in your life.

Happy Tuesday to you and yours...