The Ultimate Day For Thanks

I love Thanksgiving for many reasons; our offspring, their partners and our grandchildren sharing a huge feast at our house, we all indulge in conversation, laughs, and games while making new memories and reminiscing about old ones, and we take a few moments to express aloud what each of us is thankful for. But this year I have an additional reason for this grateful celebration: We have all survived!

Our family has survived some of the worst financial woes that were responsible for endless stress, crazy schedules and non-stop pursuit of remedies for our darkest nightmares. No, we are not all rich and lazy yet; long way to go to get to that (if we ever do!) But, I am so proud of "us" for remaining positive and forward thinking through all the crap we've had to endure.

We have certainly been luckier than most: we all have kept our respective roofs over our heads, have never gone without some kind of food on the table, and we all have jobs of one kind or another. But it has still been scary - and we've been very lucky with having understanding landlords, and friends and family who have come to our aid.

So, on this ultimate day of thanks, I find myself looking toward the New Year with thoughts of new adventures, better times and, best of all, still having my family around me to spur me on when I falter. I know that everything is getting better and will continue to do so.

At our dinner table today, when I'm asked what I'm thankful for, it will be difficult to name just one thing - there are so many happenings, so many gifts of love, caring and giving and I don't want to leave anyone or anything out. I guess I'll just say, "Thank you ALL for helping me realize throughout this difficult time that I can survive anything. I have people around me who never fail to give me cause to fight for a better day.

Happy Thanksgiving All!