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Giving thanks for *you*~



Thanksgiving Day, USA, is over. Remains of the feast crowd the refrigerator and . . . my tummy. It is a much-loved holiday for many reasons, and all it requires is that I take a moment to count my blessings.

Around Thanksgiving, teachers often ask younger students to make a "thankful list." As a new teacher I remember feeling disappointed by their answers.

"I'm thankful for my family, my house, my pet, my friends." And here their lists stopped. All identical. All common things that everyone was thankful for.

I tried to elicit more, something different, something broader, more expansive. But they couldn't add more. Their world was what they could see from their front porches, and that's what they were thankful for.

The view from my front porch extends farther-- it's global-- and I have a long list of things to be thankful for, things I could never have imagined when I was young.

But when all is said and done, it is my family and friends I remain most thankful for, like I have since I was a little kid.

To my friends: work friends, school friends, neighbors, old friends and new, up-close friends, and cyber friends I've come to know through the Internet, and to my family, I'm thankful for all the pleasure you add to my life.
~~~~~
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. ~ Meister Eckhardt
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Comments

Janice Thomson said…
What a delightful post Ruth. I'm glad you had a great Thanksgiving. There are so many wonderful people on the internet. May I say it has been great getting to know you too. You bring joy into our lives with your informative, humorous and insightful posts.
November 23, 2007 at 11:38 PM
Barbara said…
Blogging is a blessing you can take virtually everywhere. What a nice feeling to have this "extended family" around the world, yes?
November 24, 2007 at 4:37 PM
Ruth L.~ said…
Jan and Barb~ I think both of you know the experience of Internet friends to be no less "friendly" than friends in the flesh. Funny how that can be, but it is true.
November 24, 2007 at 5:42 PM
Jo said…
Ruth, you know, when I first started blogging, I had no idea that each individual in the "blogosphere" would be just that - an individual. I think we can all hear each other's voices very clearly, and we are as much friends with each other as folks in our "real" worlds. True story - I have even been "hit on" by two married men. *sigh* It's just like real life. :-)

Is that your son and daughter in the photograph? Gorgeous kids!
November 24, 2007 at 11:28 PM
Unknown said…
What a sweet shot of your son and daughter, Ruth. Your daughter looks so much like you.

I'm really thankful for meeting you, and I hope we can get together again soon! I've missed you.

Hope you and your family have a wonderful Sunday!
November 25, 2007 at 8:15 AM
Alice Folkart said…
I'd like to think that our thankfulness for anything reflects back upon us. In the case of yours,it seems to. Or is that too convoluted? Anyway, I'm sure you know what I mean.
November 25, 2007 at 9:01 AM
Unknown said…
Your post is uplifting and the display of gratitude is what this holiday is about. You are a special gift to all of us here in blogland and for that I am thankful that our words as well as our paths have crossed. You have been and still are one of my teachers. Thank You
November 25, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Wanda said…
I'm also very thankful for my blogger friends. You have all added so much to my life! Thanks!
November 25, 2007 at 6:39 PM
raine said…
I'm glad you had a lovely thanksgiving - and that your children were there to share it with you.
November 27, 2007 at 1:12 AM
Ruth L.~ said…
Josie~ Yes, my middle and youngest. That's when we dropped Dave off at college, thus his enigmatic expression.

Lisa~ No one who knows my ex ever says Joanna looks like me, but those who don't know him often say it. Strange.

Alice~ You are always so good to me. I like that, need that . . . don't necessarily deserve it, but still . . .:>)

Dave~ . . . I'd say the opposite, but I'm flattered.

Wanda, Rain and Casdok~ There is so much more to friends than their actual presence, isn't there?
November 27, 2007 at 5:59 PM
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