Gratitude
It’s Thanksgiving Day here in Canada. As in the United States, many families have a tradition of taking a moment before the Thanksgiving meal to go around the table, each sharing something for which they are grateful.
I’d like to invite you all to join me around my virtual Thanksgiving table, as I share some of what I’m grateful for as I look back on the past year. Then, if you would, please share something you’re grateful for in the comments.
~~ First, foremost, and always — my friends — both cyber and face-to-face — and my family. I cherish the relationships I have, the people whom I can meet for lunch and a visit as well as the ones that I can exchange email after email with, and all those in between.
~~ I am grateful to be able to dream big dreams, to watch some of them come true, and to know that there is potential for others of those dreams to come true as well. I am grateful for the friends who help me hold on to those dreams, who don’t scoff and suggest that I be more realistic.
~~ I’m grateful for the Children’s Book Hub community, the Children’s Book Hub Facebook Group, the 12×12 in 2012 community, and the Perfect Picture Book Fridays bloggers — it is so good to be a part of these close-knit, supportive “families.”
~~ I’m grateful for people who have been part of my life since I was born, who no longer walk this earth with us, but who will always be a part of me — people like my Aunt Myra, and people like Viv from the farm next to ours, whose life we will celebrate on Wednesday, back in my home town.
~~ Being a part of the Stony Brook Southampton Children’s Literature Conference was something I could hardly have dreamed of a couple of years ago. I am so glad to have had that experience, and especially to have been a part of such a vibrantly creative group of people for a time.
~~ I am so deeply grateful for the wonderful friends who were able to come to my aid at short notice when I fell. I was told I shouldn’t be alone for the first 48 hours, and my dear friends rearranged their lives, work schedules, plans, to stay overnight with me, to take shifts of staying with me during the day, to buy groceries for me, to take me for groceries — to them all I owe a debt I can never fully repay.
~~ I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given, and for all that lies ahead. As Dag Hammarskjold put it, “For all that has been, thanks — for all that shall be, YES!” (from Markings)
What are you grateful for?
Beth that’s a lovely post. I’m going to remember that tradition for next year. Our online groups are wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving! So glad you are on the mend 🙂
Thank you, Catherine! Happy Thanksgiving to you, as well!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Beth. Such wonderful things to be grateful for. I am also grateful for online friendships that have blossomed, for dreams realized and others yet to flourish. Many thanks, indeed.
Thank you, Angela — I’m so grateful for your faithfulness in commenting, and I want to congratulate you on the release of NeverLove today!!!
I’m grateful for you, Beth, and the way you encourage all of us…aspiring or published authors. Thanks so much…blessings!
Awwww, that’s so dear. Thank you so much, Jarm! Blessings to you, as well!
It’s a beautiful list, Beth. Thank you for sharing it and for all that you give to the writing community! Happy Thanksgiving 🙂
Thank you so much Heather! I’m so grateful for this community!
What a lovely, lovely, post! And just at this moment, I am very grateful to know you and count you as a friend 🙂
Awwwwww, thank you, Susanna! I’m very grateful for your friendship as well, one of the gifts that has been given to me through the online writing community.
Grateful for you. Hope you had a wonderful day!
Thank you, Stacy! So far it’s been very relaxing.
We had our Thanksgiving meal yesterday, and the whole family was here. And we did the same thing, even hearing from our grandkids (ages 8 and 6) about things for which they are thankful.
You’ve shared a great thought with people. Thanks.
Rob-bear, that sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
Beth, what a lovely post. Happy Thanksgiving and I hope your day is spent with friends and family. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to spend time with you the past two summers and call you my friend.
Thank you. Actually I’m on my own today, but connected with people through the wonders of the internet. I’m grateful for the time we’ve had together, too, my friend.
Several others have already said what I wanted to say: I’m grateful for you!
(and books too!)
I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving. I’ll eat some yesterday-made pumpkin pie and think of you 🙂
Awwww, thanks, Cap’n S! I’m very grateful for you, as well. And yum! Thank you for eating some pumpkin pie in my honor!
What a great post! Hope you had a wonderful holiday!
Thank you, Jennifer! All you people are making it a lovely day!
I am grateful for the wonderful trip I had with my husband, the release of my third Amanda travel adventure book and all my fabulous friends and family. That includes all the wonderful blogging friends I have made this past year like you Beth. I too recently broke my ankle and had to have surgery to pin it all back together. My friend Judy brought me a wonderful dinner and lunch the day i came home from the hospital. My dear husband has been so attentive and sat with me the entire day at the hospital. I am so very thankful I have him at my side. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Thanks, Darlene! What a time you must have had with your ankle. I’m so glad you were able to enjoy that wonderful cruise! Happy Thanksgiving!
Lovely gratitude list and what great friends you have. Love the quote at the end.
Thank you, Mary! I have loved that quote for years and years. It sings to my soul.