Thoughts on Thankfulness

Tomorrow is my favorite holiday of all time. I am in love with Thanksgiving. It’s not the history of the holiday, which, by the way, most history books have it wrong anyway. It’s what it’s grown to mean for me. This is a holiday where I get to shine in the kitchen, spend time with family and friends, get some extra cuddles from the kids, and have a special day to reflect on all the things I’m grateful for.

Sure I’m grateful for the people and things in my life on a daily basis, but there is something special about thanksgiving that brings out the joy of sharing our gratitude. A time for me to really dig deep and explore some of those things I’m grateful for on a deeper level. Today I thought I’d share some of those deeper reflections with you.

1. I am thankful for family. This is a common phrase uttered by many when going around the table stating what they are thankful for. It’s an easy statement that is accepted by many, and a quick way to get around the table so the feast can begin. I’m thankful for family too. But not just my family by blood or marriage. I’m talking about my chosen family too. The people I’ve chosen to surround myself with. The people I laugh with, cry with, and get mad at the world with. With that said, yes I’m thankful for family. I’m thankful I’m surrounded by people who love me when I’m having a good day, and a bad day alike. I’m thankful I have people in my life I’ve chosen to distance myself from despite society calling us family. I’ve learned to love myself enough to decide I refuse to be treated poorly and won’t put up with it. I am thankful for the lessons I’ve learned from my family, both good and bad, if you’d even give them those labels. They are experiences none the less.
2. I am thankful for food. Yes! I can fully get behind this one, however, not only am I thankful for the food itself, I’m also thankful for the farmers, those who harvest the food, those who share all of those fantastic gardening tips in books and online, and in person, so I can have our garden in the backyard. I’m thankful for the local greenhouses, the farmers markets, and of course our amazing grocery store. I’m thankful our grocery store delivers the food when my head is about ready to explode from my busy schedule, and I’m thankful for all the cooking shows I’ve watched that have taught me how to take some basic foods and turn them into something amazing. Our food touches so many hands in one way or another before it gets to us, I am grateful for everyone involved and for the chance to grow some of it ourselves.
3. I am thankful for a roof over my head. Absolutely. There have been times where I questioned if we would still have our house as the economy hit some major turbulence that directly affected us. I am thankful for my husband’s job because it carries us from one bill to the next. I am thankful for my job because without it we wouldn’t have the money to help out with some of those bills. I am thankful we have a home where I have a couch to work from home and educate from home. I am thankful we have a place where we can invite friends, both old and new. I am thankful I have a place where we can invite rescued pets into our home. Not near as many as I want to rescue, but we help where we can. I am thankful I have a safe place to call my own when I know there are so many out there who do not. I also do my best to help those who do not have a safe place because everyone needs a friend.

What are you thankful for this year? Have you given it any more thought to take it to a deeper level? Share your thoughts in the comments below.