My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, and in America we are only a little over a week away from it. Alice Walker, author of "The Color Purple" said, "'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding." It may be the best prayer, but at times it is also the hardest to say.
For those of you who know me, this has not been my best year. There have been a lot of challenges to overcome as well as pain and sorrow. But this has also been a year of tremendous growth and opportunities. It has been easier to say "thank you" for the opportunities but almost impossible to express my gratitude for the challenges.
Still, I want to say thank you for a few things this year:
Thank you for my ex-husband for his courage to imagine a different life for us where we would both find contentment and strength.
Thank you for my parents who allowed me to move in when I needed somewhere to go and for all the support they have shown me through everything.
Thank you for my sisters who despite their own challenges have been there for me too.
Thank you for my managers and co-workers who have been a part of those challenges as well as those opportunities. I learned a lot about relationships because of them.
Thank you for my agent and editor who have pushed me to become a better writer and person.
Thank you for lawyers and doctors who use their expertise to advise and guide me.
Thank you for strength and courage and the refusal to give up.
What are you thankful for this year?
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What a courageous list! I hope you're entering a season of peacefulness.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for being able to find joy in every day--even on the ones I really have to look hard!
I second Liz's hope for you!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for reminding me I need to look at my difficulties in light of being thankful for what they teach me or help me to grow. Awesome post!
Whenever I’m struggling through problems I think “It came to pass,” knowing time helps heal. Hope your struggles pass quickly.
ReplyDeleteI’m thankful for so many things: my children and grandchildren as well as some great friendships. This month my best friend Sandy Lagesse moved into the retirement community where I live. She’s now three doors down instead of four miles away, so it saves us a lot of travel time.
Syndi, you sound so much better than you did earlier this year. I know all of your writing friends are thankful for that.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for family and friends. I'm especially thankful our beautiful land isn't undergoing some of the strife we see in so many other countries.
Congratulations, Syndi, on such a strong, determined attitude. You're bound for good things. I'm grateful that I still have Ron, and to be here among all of you.
ReplyDeleteSyndi, well said. I' so happy that you seem to be finding peace! I'm thankful for my family and especially for their health--lots of struggles in that department the last few years. I find it interesting that sometimes it takes experiencing life without something before I realize how grateful I am for it(:
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! And Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all time. Hopefully, the beginning of the holiday season can help heal past hurts and ring in the new year with great optimism. I know I'm looking forward to new beginnings.
ReplyDeleteSyndi, yu are incredibly strong.
ReplyDeleteAnd, from the sounds of it, well loved.
Like LeAnne, here's to new beginnings.
Wishing you many blessings to come, Syndi.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful to be alive, to have a measure of health, family and friends. I'm thankful for too many things to count. Life can be so difficult sometimes, but there's almost always a silver lining, and it looks like you've found it Syndi. All we can do is take things one day at a time and make each day count. Thanks for the inspiration. ( :
ReplyDeleteSyndi, I hope you have wonderful and well deserved months (and years ;) ahead of you. I've had a rough year too and I just kept saying 'it could be worse'. It does help to focus on the things we should be thankful for :). Thanks for the reminder!
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