Last year I wrote an article about the joys and memories of past Thanksgivings. Not this year, this year has been too good to overlook. My family has been blessed tremendously the past eleven months. I look back at what was accomplished and it is impressive.
What am I thankful for this year? The list is long but the ability to purchase our house, witnessing my son get saved, finishing my first novel and getting it to a publisher, and having one of my poems published would be at the top of the list. There are others but those stick out.
What does Thanksgiving mean to me? Thanksgiving provides a time to reflect on the year and acknowledge both the good and bad that has impacted our life. Yes, I said good and bad because when we journey through both, we come out stronger, happier and more appreciative of the things around us. The current economic situation is a perfect example of this. We see on the news every day the negative impact this economy is having on the country but what of the positives? Through this tough time families are playing more board games, eating at the kitchen table and enjoying the company of loved ones. Sound familiar? This tough time has caused us to reflect on what is really important to us and hold those things close. For that I am thankful.
Now it's your turn. What are you thankful for this year and what does Thanksgiving mean to you?
To sweeten the pot I'm making things interesting, I have a $20.00 gift card to Amazon.com for the person who leaves the best answer for the above question. I will be taking only one comment per person and I will pick the winner on Friday.
5 comments:
Thanksgiving is, perhaps, my favorite holiday. Imagine ... a holiday that is purely about gratitude ... what could be better! We come together, appreciating each other and the bonds we've created. We enjoy a meal ... the bounty of the year's harvest which the earth provided. And ... we take stock in our lives and recognize all the "good" that is there. It's a day that reminds us to be grateful, not just on the last Thursday in November, but for all the other 364 days of the year. I'm thankful for everything in my life ... my family and friends ... the laughter and positive attitudes ... even the rough times, because through them we find our strength.
I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Small Footprints
http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com
Wow. What am I thankful for? Right now, it is something so basic that it sounds ridiculous. I am thankful that my husband goes to work every day, in spite of the fact that he works 80+ hour work weeks and I hardly see him. But in this economy, I couldn't ask for anything better.
I was born on Thanksgiving so my birthday always falls on or around it every year. So Thanksgiving is sort of a double whammy for me, when it comes to reflection of the past year. I spent the last month reflecting on what I was thankful for in my writing life - things like my awesome crit partners, friends, my agent (who I am so thankful signed me this year!).
But mostly, when it comes right down to it, the thing I am always the most thankful for is my family. My family is always there, no matter what is going on in my life. They are there to cheer me when things are going well, and they are there with comfort when things aren't.
Something happened recently that is still such a dream come true I can hardly believe it. I live in a town that was hit very hard by the economy. My husband was one of the lucky ones that kept his job. A couple weeks ago, his boss offered him the opportunity to move across the country to manage their new shop. This move means more money and it means being 9 hours from my entire family instead of 30.
I can't believe how lucky we are. My heart is so full on this Thanksgiving that I hardly know how to express it.
I am blessed to be able to stay home with my children and the spare time to work on accomplishing my dream of being published. I recently signed with an agent who will help make that dream a reality. I have the most incredible friends anyone could ever ask for. I have a husband who works hard and has a job that supports us. And I have a family that I love more than anything in the world, and I will soon be able to see them more than our usual once every 3 years. I have also made it through another year of life and so far have not one gray hair to show for it :D What more could a girl ask for? I am thankful for every blessing I've received and hope that I can be a blessing to someone else in return.
After three years of living in a very small house that has been in a constant state of remodel, I am grateful to have a home that is finally big enough to hold my family. Every day I am glad that there is no longer sawdust, drywall dust, and dirt of all varieties in my food and furniture. I am thankful for my mom who gave me the sectional sofa I've always wanted, which now sits in my garage-turned-family room. (Yes, I am blessed to finally have a family room!)
I am grateful that I am finally able to sit down every day and do what I love, and to raise my children while doing so. I'm lucky to share my dream with my sister, who writes as well. And I am so very thankful to writers who are willing to share so much of themselves in blogs like this, to bring solitary writers together into a solid community.
Cheers!
Small Footprints - A holiday to be grateful is a wonderful one indeed. It is my hope that you and your family had a great Thanksgiving. Enjoy the weekend!
Bethany - The basics are often the most important. Many share your sentiment this year as times have been tough. I hope your house is as full of joy as your belly is full of turkey.
Michelle - Happy late birthday and Thanksgiving! My wife was born on the 25th so she knows how you feel. Congrats on finding an agent and on getting closer to family. Getting a promotion during this economy is indeed a blessing.
Suzette - Home remodeling can be stressful. Especially when trying to raise children and write. Thank you for joining us on the New Author.
To everyone - these are great comments. I will be announcing the winner later this afternoon. I can assure you that the decision will not be an easy one.
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