Thanksgiving

Last night I remarked that I wished we celebrated Thanksgiving.  "Any excuse for roast turkey" quipped S. And while I am in total agreement that any excuse for a roast turkey is a good excuse, what I was actually talking about was sitting down as a family and reflecting on all the things in our lives that we have to be thankful for.

This year has been a pretty tough one for my family.  When caught up in all the stress of life, it can be easy to lose sight of those good things that we have to be thankful for.  But really I have so much good in my life, it is nice to reflect and give thanks.

Last year I wrote a post on Thanksgiving and in reading it back I realised the list I wrote then is just as relevant today, so here is my revisited list from last Thanksgiving. 

Today:

I'm thankful for the love in my life.  From my amazing family, my fabulous friends and my absolutely gorgeous boyfriend who fills my every day with laughter and kisses. 

I'm thankful for my health.  It is easy to take for granted but good health is of unquantifiable worth. 

I'm thankful for my education.  Education is everything in my book.  With education the world is your oyster, without it, the paths are closed.  I'm so grateful to my parents for ensuring I got it and the wonderful teachers who gave it to me. 

I'm thankful for my upbringing.  For growing up in a house where I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I was loved and safe.  Where I was taught everything from manners to critical thinking.  Where I was (and am) loved and supported in all my efforts.  Where I was taught to respect money but not revere it.  And where laughter was a part of every day. 

I'm thankful for being born in Australia.  I live in a country where I am free to express my views and elect my leaders.  I am not denied opportunities because of sex, marital status, age, religion or ethnicity.  I go about my everyday activities without fear for my safety.  I have enough to eat and a warm comfortable home.  I know that not everyone in Australia has access to all these things, but vastly more people here do than in other parts of the world.

I could go on and on because the reality is, present stresses aside, I am truly thankful for the life I get to lead.