A day of giving thanks

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  Today is the greatest holiday of the year...  Partly because there are no gifts to give and because there is no one person to celebrate.  Also because it is a day where we recognize what it is that we have in this world and find reasons to be thankful where we might not even look on a regular day. 

This year is particularly challenging for me.  There seems to be a great deal of loss and illness in the world these days and it hurts my soul that the people I love are suffering. 

I know everyone has a busy day ahead with family gatherings and abundant meals, etc. but please take a moment today to remember those who are less fortunate.  Remember that there are people out there today who don't have families to celebrate with, Turkeys to cook and enjoy, even warm homes to relax in.  My grandmother said it to me on the phone last night...  and those of you who know my grandmother know that this is a MAJOR epiphany...  She said that though she is on a budget now and can't get her hair permed once a week like she used to, she feels lucky that she has a warm place to come home to, and not everyone has that luxury.  Way to go Grandma - The thankful feelings must be in the air!

As I celebrate today I will be thinking about how grateful I am for the good health that my immediate family has been blessed with.  My Aunt has recently stopped her chemo treatments and does not have the luxury of a carefree Thanksgiving today.  Also today I am grateful for my Mom.  As my best friend celebrates what will likely be her last Thanksgiving with her Mom and bestfriend, I am reminded how special it is to have such a strong relationship with my mom.  I will be sure to treasure the time that I have as not everyone is so lucky. 

Lastly, I am reminded to be thankful for my loving husband and healthy child.  Though my life is hectic and harried and impossible to keep up with most days, not every family is blessed with children, and many times the battle of infertility is enough to break up even the strongest marriages.  Though we hope someday to be blessed with another child, for the moment, we are grateful that modern medicine has come far enough to help us welcome a beautiful baby girl into this world when we might have otherwise not been able to.  (Also thanks to my friends at AGC who helped me through this difficult time in my life)        

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone today.  I hope you find a hundred different reasons to be thankful too!  I'd love to hear what it is you are thankful for!  Please comment if you can and share your special thanks.