Being Thankful

Before I sat down to write this entry, I did a bit of research. I think you could call it research since I was searching for information and opinions. About what? Thanksgiving.

My kids, year after year, learn about the pilgrims and their journey to a new land. They draw, paint and make all different kinds of artwork displaying turkeys or native American designs. But I wanted to know what others thought of Thanksgiving and giving thanks.

I found definitions, poems, quotes, articles and even blogs where there were heated discussions to the idea of giving thanks. Yes, heated discussions! This one is a blog from a year ago called Dean's world.

But I want to write about what I am thankful about...
I am thankful for my family. My husband loves me and puts up with all my neuroses and appreciates the good things I do to contribute to our relationship. My kids still vie for my attention and want me to spend time with them. They love it when we snuggle, when we have family game night and when we read books and watch movies together.
I am thankful for my parents in all that they taught me. I may not do or say what they want me to do or say, but their words are always in my thoughts and I try my best to be the same role model they were for me.
I am thankful for the family I have that are still here on this earth and for being loved by the ones that have left this world for heaven. I greatly miss my grandma and grandpa Bolding, my uncle Dana and my father-in-law - Jack Pieper.
I am thankful for my friends. They are great sounding boards. They have great ideas. They have wonderfully different perspectives. They teach me to be a better person.
I am thankful to be given the opportunity to continue the tradition of families getting together for Thanksgiving. Yes, folks, I am hosting a small gathering of some family for a Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, green and yellow beans, carrots, cucumbers, pomegranate, Jello, apple and craisin lettuce salad, and pumpkin, apple and pecan pies with ice cream or whipped topping. Yummy?
I am thankful for where I am today. I like my job and where I work. I like what I do. I like being able to share my thoughts like this. I like being a scrap booker. I like living in Kohler. I like being an American and having the opportunity to be thankful for those pilgrims who came to a new world free from religious persecution. I am thankful for being a Christian and allowed to share my beliefs with others.

This Thanksgiving I hope to let everyone know what they mean to me. Do the same!

Happy Thanksgiving!