I was inspired to do a Thanksgiving post this year by Rich Keller who wrote The Obligatory Thank You Column for the Northern Colorado Writers blog, The Writing Bug and Heidi M. Thomas who is Thankful for Books at The Blood-Red Pencil.
I’m thankful for books, too. And I share Rich’s gratitude for critique groups, Kerrie Flanagan and Northern Colorado Writers who’ve given me so many new friends, and those who drop by my blog to see what’s going on in Colorado, leave comments for my guest bloggers, and suffer through those posts about my writing life…or my cat.
But I have something special to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, and it has to do with family. From October 2012 through September 2013, three of my much loved family members faced serious health crises. I traveled back and forth between Colorado and Illinois, and Colorado and California, for months, trying to help out where I could or at least lend a little moral support.
Happily, all three of those family members survived their illnesses and are getting along fine during their continuing treatment. We are all blessed.
I have a few other things to be thankful for:
A wonderful husband, self-sufficient grown-up kids and their spouses, two darling granddaughters, a super aunt, cousins, niece and nephew, grand-nieces and -nephews. And we’re only occasionally dysfunctional, so that’s a blessing, too.
An amazing and much-treasured long-time friend (I met her when I moved to Indiana in 1969, so we’ve known each other over 40 years), a wonderful network of high school buddies I’ve known since 1956 (50+ years), and the good friends I’ve made during my working years and my writing years. Heck, I’m even in touch with a couple of my old grade school girlfriends. Let ‘s not even talk about how far back they go.
Miss Kitty (aka Katie Cat whose real name is Katrina)
Writing, which I love almost as much as I love reading
The opportunity to help establish and edit for the new Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers blog
Living in Northern Colorado
And finally, my own good health…if you don’t count these arthritic knees. I weathered the last year pretty well for an old broad.
This year, our Thanksgiving will be quiet. I’m fixing a dinner for two with a turkey breast, my mom’s traditional bread/sage stuffing, and (of course) mashed potatoes and gravy. Broccoli and cauliflower with cheese sauce. And pie with TCBY frozen yogurt. We’ll watch football (hubby) and movies (me), because I only watch the Broncos and they don’t play tomorrow.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Hi Pat – I’m so pleased to read everyone is much improved and your knees aren’t causing you any hassle – the Thanksgiving days … sound as though they’ll suit you and hubby very happily.
Enjoy the coming Christmas season .. cheers Hilary
Carolyn, the little ones bring extra joy with them. Our two grandbabies will be here with their mommy and daddy right after Christmas. I’m counting the days.
Pat, hope it was a good day. We had a four-year-old boy as one of the guests and bought a table cloth with pictures to color and places to write what you’re thankful for. He was thank for the Incredible Hulk. We were all thankful for his youth and energy.
Greetings, Prashant. Thanks for the kind words. A little positive thinking goes a long way toward keeping us healthy and happy in what can be a very difficult world.
Great post, Patricia! Anyone who reads about self-help and positive thinking should read this post.
Nicole — thanks for stopping by — I hope you have a wonderful day.
Great post. Happy Thanksgiving!
Julie–Yes, and I was trying so hard to forget. The Broncos must finish out the season as winners.
Thanks, Ken. You’re right. Life has a way of yanking us up short and teaching us a lesson about what’s important and what’s not. Happy Thanksgiving wishes to you and your family as well.
E.J., thanks so much. Good wishes to you as well.
Hi L.D. It was a crazy year, that’s for sure. I guess that’s how we learn to cherish the good times.
Very good things to be thankful for. I’m especailly happy all the health crises have taken turns for the better.
Fantastic things to be thankful for, Patricia! Hope the next year sees you finding even more blessings. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving!
~EJ
Great post Pat. Isn’t it funny how when one of our family members is seriously ill, everything else in our lives becomes trivial? I’m so glad that all of your loved ones came through their struggle and are now on the road to recovery. No doubt your presence in their lives contributed greatly to their success. I wish you and your husband, and your cat, a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Alex just HAD to bring up the game, didn’t he? SIGH….
Pat, so glad your family is making it through. What a journey you’ve been on.
Glad you get a quiet Thanksgiving– may you get a chance to breathe deeply and enjoy a bit of respite.
Alex, that was a sad, sad game. Sort of like that one with the Colts.
Thanks, Margot. I forgot to mention that we’re even going to have a warm (relatively speaking), sunny holiday and weekend here in Northern Colorado. That’s a bonus, considering the weather over on the east coast.
Hi Karen. I am looking forward to our dinner tomorrow…I might have to skip my Weight Watchers meeting this week. 😀
That’s a whole lot to be thankful for,Patricia. Happy turkey day
Pat – What an absolutely lovely post. I think we all benefit from a sense of gratitude. It’s much healthier than dwelling on what we don’t have. And it is good to hear that you and your family are all in good health. Happy Thanksgiving to you too.
Sorry about the last Bronco game you watched…
Wonderful news about your family members! I know you traveled a lot this year for them.
Enjoy a quiet Thanksgiving, Patricia.