50 Thanksgiving Gifts I Am Grateful For

I am borrowing this idea from my good writing friend, Anne Wayman.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the United States, I am sharing what I am most thankful for this year.

My Thanksgiving Blessings

1. My Mom – and her continued good health at age 88
2. My family – huge as it is – I love each and every one of you
3. My friends – those I’ve known forever and those I have yet to meet in person – got to love social media for opening the world to some really great people I now count as friends.
4. My Fight Like A Girl teammates – these 3-Day, 60 Mile Walkers for the Cure have enriched my life beyond description.
5. 3-Day Walk for the Cure workers and volunteers – they make every event a seamless journey of joy.
6. My clients – you have made my dream a reality and I am very grateful for your continuing business.
7. My health – I am in the best shape I’ve been in a long while and this boomer body appreciates that.
8. The Blogging Mastermind Comment Tribe – what a generous, supportive group of bloggers. I am blessed to be a part of such a great group.
9. My non-American friends – thank you for putting up with our holidays and opening our minds to worlds beyond the U.S.
10. My readers – you help me avoid talking to myself – a dialog is so much more interesting than a monologue. 🙂
11. When technology works – I am grateful for each day without a single technology problem.
12. Software geniuses – thank you for making life so much easier (mostly) – remind me of this when the next techie issue invades.
13. Optimism – no matter what, optimism sees me through to the other side.
14. My faith – it’s like a warm embrace that is silent, but always there for the taking.
15. My sense of humor – even when it’s probably not appropriate, I appreciate it’s always lurking.
16. My own bed – after being gone for 10 days, there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed.
17. Warm socks – since moving to Idaho and walking through monsoons, I have a greater appreciation of warm, dry socks.
18. My Blackberry – even though I exchanged it, it was there when things didn’t work out and still works after I dropped it in a San Diego puddle.
19. Kali – my sister’s adorable miniature white schnauzer she lets us borrow when they go on vacation.
20. My office view – from gorgeous sunrises to the changing of the seasons, it’s always a great view.
21. Sports – although my favorite teams do not always pull through, I am thankful for someone to shout at and cheer for.
22. Books – I am most thankful for this favorite form of entertainment that takes us from reality to fantasy through the talented words of writers.
23. Halloween – I always appreciate this American holiday that allows the child inside to live on and on.
24. Animals – love those on my training route and all the species of birds that visit our backyard.
25. Music – from the soothing strings I play while working to that old time rock-n-roll, I love how it moves the soul.
26. Project Runway – although I hate the backstage drama, I love the creativity and the inspiration it provides.
27. The Food Network – creativity is not limited to Project Runway and food without calories is almost as good as the real thing.
28. Spam filters – thank you for not forcing me to throw my computer across the room as yet another spammer attacks.
29. Maui – a beautiful paradise that always brings peace.
30. My Snoopy collection – from my Joe Cool to all my stuffed Snoopy adventurers, they always bring a smile.
31. Neat junk – my sister, Terry’s term for knick-knacks or whatever you want to call the silly stuff we love.
32. Southernisms – all the classic sayings my Dad left for us to enjoy.
33. Southwest – love a staff with humor and a ticket without baggage fees.
34. Water – I love to drink it, heat it up for hot showers, and soak my achy body.
35. Flowers – colorful, blooming and diverse sweet-smelling flowers brighten anyone’s mood.
36. Saturday morning breakfast – egg white omelette with spinach, mushrooms and chicken and Mom-made biscuits -yum.
37. Christmas with children – the holidays are always better with young children around – this year, my 3-year-old grand-niece, Sunniva, arrives with her Mom and Nana.
38. Comforters – nothing better on a cold night
39. Lamps to read by – I am thankful for well-lit rooms – hate rooms that are so dark you need books in Braille.
40. Headsets – especially those that drown out background noise
41. Smiling faces – dare you not to smile back
42. Remembering the punch line – I love it when the story all comes together and the boomer brain allows the punch line to shine.
43. Pens – perhaps they’re tools of the trade, but I’ve always loved pens with all different colored ink.
44. People who say thanks – and mean it – so simple and so well-received.
45. The smell of clean sheets – makes you just want to wrap yourself to sleep.
46. Shared laughter – it multiplies the fun.
47. Feeling loved – it’s a feeling everyone needs in their life.
48. Photos that capture a moment – or a cherished thought or loved one
49. An ending that catches me off guard – I don’t like to figure out who done it until the author tells me
50. Happy memories – of which I have many of.

My list could go on and on.

I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving. And for my non-American friends, please share our thanks for all that is right in this world.

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Live…Laugh…Love

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