.....That Remains the Same

Clustered and crowded into a small home in the damp, dreary November weather an extended family gathers. Scents of turkey, sage dressing and a hint of coal smoke fuse, steamy windows and piles of winter coats on the bed, boots scattered at the door. Laughter and coveys of conversation pause, heads bow and Thanks is given. Family topped the list that day. Health, warmth, safety, sustenance and country were voiced, Amen’s whispered…..


Sound familiar? Many of you were there literally, others in your own childhood homes the scene unfolding in your mind’s eye revealing individual experiences, memories and family.

Many from my reflections are gone, Mom, Dad, Aunts, Uncles. I miss each of them. Yet, another element which may give cause for thanksgiving is our memory, a simply magnificent treasure. With it we do not merely see the sights; we can wear the warmth, sniff the smells and taste the turkey. We can, one more time, experience the love of family and friends of gatherings past.
So what are your recollections, your souvenirs? What gives you cause for Thanks, today?

Did you know that the word gratitude comes from two Greek words that mean great attitude?
Well…not really. I made that up. But I thought it was pretty good. ;-) Don’t you?

How often do you ponder on specifics for which you are appreciative; Daily, weekly, every once in a while?
In her book, The How of Happiness, Sonya Lyubomirsky states that her laboratory results indicate expressing gratitude once a week is most likely to boost happiness. Isn’t that interesting? Her findings also reveal that variety is the spice of life. By varying and not over-practicing, (everyday in the same way) we prevent becoming bored with routine and thus extract more meaning from it. Isn’t that fascinating? That’s fascinating!
Do you believe that expressing gratitude, as I attempt to do with this ‘Rambling’, can actually attract more for which we may be grateful?

A short, unplanned story in this story:
As I typed ‘That’s fascinating’ in the above paragraph I remembered that today is trash day. Aren’t we fortunate to have, for a few bucks a week, someone who comes to the house and takes away all our trash? Oops rambling again. So I pause to take out the trash and while at the end of the driveway, I check the mailbox. I kid you not; a totaly unexpected check for $202.47 was waiting there for me. Coincidence? Perhaps. I am grateful just the same.

I can’t promise you ‘mailbox money.’ However, I do believe we will experience more joy and satisfaction if, say once a week, we reflect on all our blessings, big and small. Bask in all that has been gifted to you. It is a wonderfully warm and comforting setting.

I seldom reveal that I feel I do something well. Gratitude is an exception. I learned it from my Dad.
I have been blessed with more than I could ever deserve. I have friends (more like family) that have been close to my heart for over 30 years. Our good times and bad have all created lifelong bonds that will never be broken. Few people can make that claim.

My birth family is the most wonderful of any. I have looked around and know that to be a fact.

How it ever came to pass that I should have found the love of my life, as she unloaded my work truck, that that union would result in the daughter who is my constant delight, is one I will never fully understand or feel worthy of.
My ‘Thanksgiving’ runs year 'round, how ‘bout yours?

“Clustered and crowded into a small home….family topped the list that day.” And to this very day, that remains the same.



With love and a full heart I wish, for each of you, a blessed Thanksgiving.