My wife had Christmas songs playing on the stereo. I’m sure Michael Bublé was somewhere on the playlist. Insert face palm here. How can I compete with that? Yes, I’m straying from my story. In any event, the Thanksgiving turkey was fresh from the oven and the house was full of robust smells. The table was set. We were all prepared to celebrate, but we couldn’t help but notice what was missing.
The biggest absence being the empty spots around the table.
Two Thanksgivings ago, we couldn’t get together with our extended family – no family from either side. To top it off, my middle son would be away too, deployed as part of the U.S. Marines. We would be limited to our merry band of four. Determined to still celebrate and grateful, we ended up having a small Thanksgiving. We tried to make up for people missing by facetiming everyone, but the mood was still mellow.
When we sit down tomorrow, we still won’t have everyone home, our son again will not be home, but my list of things I’ll be grateful for will be long. I’m grateful that we survived the pandemic and have so far survived the crazy inflation and flat market, natural and man-made disasters, and everything else in between.
We’re fortunate:
- My youngest son started college and seems to love it. My two oldest kids are in the real world and are making smart adult decisions. I would love to help them out more, but they’re doing great on their own.
- I have a job that helps pay our bills.
- My wife hasn’t kicked me out of the house yet for that Bublé fellow. I know she’s thought about it, but I seem to still be in the running.
I couldn’t ask for more. Oh, I’m a spoiled brat like everyone else, I’m sure an hour after posting this blog, I’ll be grumbling about this or that, but right now in this moment, I thank God for our health and our many blessings and offer best wishes for everyone coming across my page.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Brian 😊
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Thank you so much Hot Goddess! It will be a fun day. Hope you’re still celebrating too … but I suspect maybe differently. Instead of turkey, maybe more seafood? No matter what, many blessings and have a happy thanksgiving!
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Happy Thanksgiving 🍁
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Thank you, Brian…what a beautiful post. Cheers to you and your family! ☺️
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Thank you Victoria! Looking forward to the day and seeing family/friends. Lots of things change about the holidays over the years, but really glad for Tgiving to give us some perspective. Cheers to you and your fam too! 😎😎😎😎
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😉❤️😉
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Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
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Same to you. Life moves fast, appreciate the chance to slow down with friends and family. Have a great holiday.
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Like you, our usual loud and boisterous family of noisy girls will be scattered off in different directions—the other grandmother’s, the soon-to-be mother-in-law, the ER where another works, leaving us with a table of five: my daughter and myself, plus three friends. I’ll miss the commotion, but will enjoy the quiet. And the turkey. And the gratitude that will fill my heart for so many blessings.Happy Thanksgiving to you all, Brian.
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You got it Julia. It’s the thought that counts. I’ll be thinking of my kids. We’ll still have fun. Best wishes and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and friends, Brian. I will raise a glass from across the Atlantic.
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Thank you so much Davy. It doesn’t have to a special meal or drink. It’s just a chance to say thank you and appreciate family and friends and our many blessings. Thanks for the well wishes and sending them your way as well. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!
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That’s the spirit. Even just having food to eat and a roof over our heads is something to be grateful for these days. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Same to you Alessandra. Hope you have a wonderful holiday. Best wishes!
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I’m so glad you’re looking forward to Thanksgiving tomorrow, Brian, even if a few family members will be missing. We don’t have Thanksgiving here in the UK, but even when I’m at the lowest of my lows, there are always things to be grateful for. I’ve started writing a journal in the mornings now, and I always write out at least three things I am thankful for each day. However bleak things are for me sometimes, I can still see the good in so much of the world and its people. Even things like waking up with my cat, Peanut, purring in my ear, the sun shining, and simple things like having clean running water are all worthy of gratitude. I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving Day tomorrow. Enjoy the company and enjoy your dinner.
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Thank you Ellie. Thanksgiving is a US holiday, but gratitude and appreciation are part of every culture. You’ve definitely got the right idea. I find that I appreciate the little things much more this time of year. I try to carry it over . . . sometimes I’m more successful than others. In any event, thank you so much. I appreciate your well wishes. Hopeful thoughts for you too! Happy Thanksgiving.
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A good list for sure! Happy Thanksgiving, Brian!
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Thank you Wynne, same to you!
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Happy Thanksgiving!
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Same to you Jan. Thanks for stopping by.
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Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Brian. It’s nice to see you.
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Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! Enjoy!
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There’s always something to be thankful for if we look hard enough. In a pinch? Even Micheal Bublé.
😉
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Aww, I agree with everything you wrote, except for the Bublé part. You’re killing me there. Ha, ha.
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It’s Thanksgiving and I’ve been drinking harvest sangria all day. I’m feeling magnanimous.
🤣
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Now that’s an awesome way to celebrate. Happy Thanksgiving.
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We’ve already had our Thanksgiving in Canada (back in October), but I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thanks so much Mark. Very much appreciated. Thanksgiving gets overlooked but it’s my favorite U.S. holiday. Anyway …. Thanks for commenting!
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Beautiful. Happy belated thanksgiving. Thank you for setting the scene!
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I’m glad you liked. Happy Thanksgiving as well. Thanks for stopping by.
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😊
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Happy Thanksgiving. It was relatable on so many levels.
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