Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving

In my part of the world, it’s Thanksgiving.

Gratitude has become a big part of my life over the last few years, and it’s changed how I approach this holiday. Pausing to give thanks feels almost hardwired into my life—and I’m extremely grateful for that, too.

I’m staring down limited time to write this post, so without further ado, here are a few things I’m thankful for before I head off to enjoy turkey, stuffing, veggies, gravy, and a giant slice of pumpkin pie with my family seafood casserole, salad, and cinnamon coffee cake with ice cream; turkey is now happening on Wednesday!

“BIG” THINGS

• My family. For all of the everything.

• My husband. He is patient and kind and handsome and compassionate and loving and longsuffering.

• My kids. They are a joy and a blessing. They are hilarious and witty and smart and creative and fun and amazing adventurers.
• My parents. They are both still living and an active presence in my life. They are stable and loving and kind and caring. And they are never, ever intrusive. Advice is only given when it’s asked for, and this has been the case since the moment I got married. What a gift.
• My health. I am, generally speaking, in excellent health with full mobility. What a blessing.
• My church community. It feels like home. These people feel like family. What a priviledge.
• My friends. This includes so many of you who have become near and dear to my heart over the last 5+ years of blogging, but especially the friends who live nearby. Having people who care about me—and about whom I care in return—is such a delight.
• My home. What a privilege to have a roof over my head, a door that locks, and a warm place to come home to.
• My financial security. Again, what a blessing. I don’t have to worry about how I will keep my kids fed and clothed. I never want to take that for granted.
• My place in the world. So many people around the world don’t enjoy the freedoms and liberties that are easy for me to take for granted. I realize I was tremendously fortunate to be born in Canada.

“LITTLE” THINGS

• The sound of our robot vacuum cleaning the floors while I’m writing this post. It still gives me a thrill.
• The feeling of a warm mug in my hands, filled with hot tea.
• My favourite pens. Such a delight to write with them.
• The delicious leftovers I just finished eating. A simple spaghetti, but incredible nonetheless.

• This mug and these tea towels! So much joy from something so simple.

And now, I’m off to prep and eat yummy food with some of the people at the very top of my gratitude list.

To all my fellow Canadians celebrating today: Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing you a special day with people you love.

Your turn.

• I’d love for everyone reading this post to participate in a little Thanksgiving gratitude practice. Tell me five things you’re thankful for today—”big” or “little.” (Bonus points if at least one is very, very small.) I’ll go first!

1. A microwave to warm up the tea that went cold while I wrote this post.
2. My new-to-me phone (a hand-me-down from John), which has hours more battery life than my very old one.
3. My new eyelash curler! It’s heated! This feels positively luxurious.
4. A quiet house. At this very moment, I’m the only person home, and I just took a minute to bask in the silence.
5. Bathroom scissors! I’ve been missing the small scissors that used to live in the top drawer of our ensuite vanity for months. I found them downstairs and, as of today, I have scissors in the bathroom again!!!!