Tis The Season To Be Thankful!

I've heard people grumble about Thanksgiving, about how we shouldn't need a special day to thank God. I've also heard people grumble about how this day is just a 'money-maker', and I've also heard complaints from others about how it is a way to 'ram God down our throats'. To all that I say "NONSENSE!" Well, other than the first complaint, that one is true, I know that we should be thankful each and every day for our Blessings.
But for myself, I think there is something about us, as a nation, setting aside this time of year, and setting aside a special day, to honor and thank God for His Blessings to us, that just warms my heart.

And I have so much to be thankful for that if I listed each and every thing I was thankful for, and more importantly, if I listed each and every person I was thankful for, this post would be never-ending. But I would like to mention a few things:

I am thankful that my needs are few and my Blessings are many.

I am thankful for my Mom and my Dad and the wonderful life they provided for us.

I am thankful for the time period I grew up in.

I am thankful for my childhood memories. I am thankful for my siblings and for what we once had, and for what we once meant to each other. I'm thankful that they were my first friends, they were my security, and even though some of us are distanced due to the miles that come between us, and some of us are distanced due to the disagreements that come between us, I am grateful that they helped to shape my past.

I am especially thankful for my sisters. Diane who gets me roped into joining all kinds of crazy things and then leaves me hanging! Diane who calls to tell me to harvest my wheat before it dies, and who calls to tell me that my pumpkins have already withered in Farmville. Diane who took me out just last night for the best meal I've ever eaten in my life! To Diane, my baby sister, my childhood, my confidence, my confidant, and my safety net. And my sister Marybeth who keeps up with my life through phone calls and my blog. Marybeth who also knows all of my fellow bloggers and she calls to ask about all of you too (she reads us all, but she never comments on any of our blogs!). Marybeth, my big sister, my protection and my shield.

I am thankful for my soul mate. Ray, my happiness and my sanctuary. I am thankful for our children (the five we were Blessed to raise and those we were Blessed with through marriage, or hanging on the fringes with the hope in our hearts of a proposal soon!).

I am thankful for our grandchildren who have opened a whole new world of joy for me.

I am thankful for the love and support of extended family.

I am thankful for the encouragement of friends.

I am thankful for old friends, and I am thankful for the opportunity of reconnecting with long-lost friends, and I am also thankful for the opportunity to meet new friends.

I am thankful for my Faith and for the many unexpected Gifts and surprises God sends my way.
I am thankful for my Lord and Savior, my Safe Haven. Jesus, His steadfast love upholds me.

I am thankful for healthy days.

I am thankful for happy moments.

I am thankful for the change of seasons, and I am thankful for the seasons of my life. I am savoring them all.

I am thankful for leisure time to do as I please.

I am thankful for our Military.

I am thankful for freedom and for those who fought for that freedom, and for all those that continue to fight for freedom here at home and in distant lands.

I am thankful for dreams come true and for the opportunity to dream anew.

Thank You, God, for all this and so much more.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His Love endures forever. ~ Psalm 107:1

A very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to you all!