Thankfulness

Had a little note in my email that I thought would be good to ponder and puts a little different spin on thankfulness:

Tom’s note: Many places in the world set aside a time to give thanks, usually a Fall/Autumn festival. While the customs may vary from country to country, the desire to reflect on the blessings of life is common.

Here in the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, a tradition of remembering the Pilgrims and settling in the New World. Our Canadian neighbors celebrate on the second Monday in October, giving thanks for a successful harvest. Canada is further north and thus, the harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States. As a bit of Thanksgiving trivia, the first formal Canadian Thanksgiving was held about 40 years prior to the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock.

No matter where you are from, it is a time for families to get together, give thanks, and celebrate with food (turkey is one of the traditional items). And don’t forget football (I bet those Pilgrims loosened their big ol’ buckles and just stared at the camp fire … until half-time).

I Am Thankful…..

…for the taxes that I pay because it means that I am employed.

…for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

…for the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

…for my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.

…for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.

…for all the complaining I hear about the government because it means we have freedom of speech.

…for the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.

…for the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.

…for the piles of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.

…for weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.

…for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am alive.

…for getting too much email because it lets me know I have friends who are thinking of me.

from Thomas S. Ellsworth via gcfl.net

I may not agree 100% with the last item because of all the spam I get but these are good thoughts.