Thanks giving

I told my lunch mate that today was Thanksgiving (our national holiday in the U.S., of course) and instead of the response I expected, she asked, "so what are YOU thankful for?" It took me by surprise as I'd expected her to simply say, "Happy Thanksgiving".

Dutch people tend to do this to me - take me by surprise, I mean. Once I had to explain the origin of the Thanksgiving holiday. I was completely misunderstood and soon had him believing it was a celebration of the wiping out of AmerIndians. Oops.

So, today I find myself thinking a lot about what I'm thankful for. I must confess, it only took me moments before I had a flood of gratefulness come to mind. If you've been reading my blog, you probably see this as no surprise.

Mostly I'm thankful for this life and the people who've come along with me on the journey. I'm thankful for a boyfriend and his family who've been like family in the absence of my own; for new friends who have done so many favors for me I've lost count; for well-worn friends and family from far away who send me love, prayers and comfort across the miles every day.

I'm thankful to have a body that works again despite having had the reset button pushed without warning. I see demonstrations daily of how much worse it could be. And I will try never to take for granted all the good things that I DO have and not lament the things I never had any intention of doing anyway (like learning the salsa or climbing Mount Kilamanjaro).

I am grateful to have access to this amazing healthcare system and a facility overflowing with people who have treated me with dignity and respect through it all.

I'm thankful for having been given perspective on this perfect life I'm leading - and that is the key word, "leading." I am LEADING this life and if I ever start complaining about the direction I'm headed, I only have myself to blame and it's up to me to put it right again.

I'm thankful that I've been given the opportunity to see what amazing goodness comes through people because of such abrupt life events. I will try as hard as I can to never lose contact with those that have reached out to me. And will still reach out to those who have yet to knock on the door.

Finally, I am thankful for the events and people which have come to me but have yet to be recognized as something to be grateful for. We can all relate to this, I'm sure - the blessings that are already with us, we just don't see it that way yet.

Maybe you will also take time today to list the things you are most thankful for and thank those who have showed up in your life. Thank YOU for showing up for me!

...and eat some turkey and gravy for me!! Stuffing is also welcome.