I’ve been thinking so much lately about Thanksgiving and the meanings behind it.  When I was young, we learned about the first Thanksgiving – how the Pilgrims moved here, and how the Indians taught them how to farm here, and what animals and plants could be eaten. We were taught that first Thanksgiving was a day of sharing food between the Pilgrims and Indians- the Pilgrims were thankful for their new friends, for their new country, and thankful to God for bringing them through such hard times.

Why is it so hard for us to be so thankful? We as a country have so much to be thankful for.  While we are at war, we are not being attacked on our own soil (at least, not for now).

Our healthcare system isn’t perfect, it’s much better than what many countries have. Even the poorest people in our country have access to basic healthcare.

Our political system isn’t perfect either, but it works pretty well, for the most part. Folks get into leadership positions – and when they don’t do what they say they’ll do, sometimes they get sent back home.

And our economic system isn’t perfect. But I’m glad I live in a place where I can work for what I want, and no one can tell me that there are limits to what I can earn, or what I can buy, if I have the money to do it.

So, I’m thankful to be living where I am.

If you don’t have a reason to be thankful, look around you. If you’ve got a place to live, food to eat and clothes to wear, you have more than most people in the world.

Give thanks in all things!

Well, Thanksgiving has passed for another year. We had all the fixings at MIL’s house, and got to see family members we haven’t seen in a while; then off to my mom’s house, where we had sandwiches, finger foods and a veggie tray, which was a very nice change. It’s hard to eat two big meals in a day, especially when you’re not used to it.
It was good to see everyone, but we missed a lot of loved ones… hubby’s daughter couldn’t come because her husband was on call and couldn’t leave the base. She’s missed seeing him the last two Thanksgivings, so we certainly understood why she wanted to stay home with him. She’s a good daughter, mom and wife and we’re proud of her. My daughter’s family spent the day with her honey’s family, so we missed seeing them too, but we understand – it’s hard to get everywhere, when there’s such an extended family to see.
Hubby’s son and his wife came, but their kids were all visiting other relatives, and my older son is back overseas, so we missed about half of our family. It’s tough having a blended family, and even more tough during the holidays.
But we have lots to be thankful for – our grandchildren are healthy and happy, they have good parents and good homes, they’re intelligent and they’re being raised by responsible people.
My husband’s mother and both my parents are still living, and they’re all in reasonably good health; while they may have problems from time to time, they have a good quality of life, and we all live near enough to see them often.
Hubby and I both enjoy life and have lots of interests to keep up going – besides our immediate family, our church family always has things going on, and of course our riding friends are ALWAYS up to something!
Last but not least, we’re thankful that we live in a country where we’ve got to right to speak our minds, and to believe as we wish, whether it suits someone else or not.
What are YOU thankful for?

My older son has been home for the past four weeks, and today he flies back to Germany. I’m so proud of him and all he does; he and all the other military make sacrifices that the rest of us don’t even realize.
While he was home, we had ‘Thanksgiving’ at my folks’ house and most everyone was able to be there.
Sometime after the first of the year, he’ll be transferring stateside, so he’ll be closer to us – we’ll be able to visit him at his base. I’m so excited!

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