I'm Thankful For...

so many things! (Please click on any photo for an enlarged view).

I'm thankful for my family, my health, my friends and so much more. But most of all, I'm thankful for each day, because every new day is a brand new present-just waiting to be unwrapped; just waiting for us to find, and to treasure, the many gifts that can be found within those 24 little hours.

As I've done for the past two Thanksgivings, I'm sharing the following poem with you, my blogging friends. I could write a list a mile long, but my poem expresses my belief that Thanksgiving is every day, not just once a year. The historical tradition that we share in the US, of breaking bread and sharing warmth and food with friends and loved ones, is an important one for many reasons. It helps us appreciate and reflect on our country's history and roots. It reminds us to think about others and be more interested in giving than receiving. But it also provides the opportunity to internalize that thankful attitude and look at each new day with those same thankful eyes and heart.

And remember this: on days (and these days do come) when you feel lousy--for whatever reason--and you don't feel thankful, be thankful anyway. We can't rely on our feelings because they tend to change with situations, life events, etc. But if we can step back and take a moment to look around, there is always a gift that comes with each day that we are alive. I hope you can all find at least one gift in your lives, each and every day--not just on Thanksgiving.

The poem below attempts to say the ways that we can show
our gratefulness: the who, what, when; the where, the why, the how.

Who am I grateful for? Most any one I've known!
Those close to me, as well as those who briefly come and go.

What am I grateful for? Much more than words can say.
Just waking up, with all the aches--the chance for another day!

When am I grateful? The opportunities abound!
Every day that I've been given--every moment I'm around!

Where am I grateful? No need to stop and think!
It's everywhere; it's here, it's there--any place where I can blink!

Why am I grateful? Because I don't deserve a thing!
The gift of life--and that alone--is reason enough to sing!

How am I grateful? I'm afraid I haven't shown
the thanks I should--the ways I could--for everything I've known.

So each and every day (through all the wind and rain)
find something to be grateful for--that chance won't come again!
jan doble, november 2008

Thanksgiving Blessings to you, my friends;-) My regular garden-blogging will resume shortly. I've been in somewhat of a blogging slump for the last couple of weeks. Of course that never happens to other bloggers, does it?!

Today I am thankful for being able to spend Thanksgiving with my husband and children, my mother, and my sister and her family and their extended family.

Words and photos ©Thanks for today., by Jan Huston Doble

Written by Jan @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/ Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.