Grannymar

During my days working in Germany many years ago I was introduced to the American Thanksgiving Celebration. I was invited to share in the preparations for, and partake in, the special family meal that was central to the day. All the family members made decorations for the house or the table.

I loved the idea that all were included and encouraged to use their talents. Using talents is an expression of thanks. We all have talents even if they are not clearly visible to us personally.

Why can’t Christmas be more like Thanksgiving? Lose the commercialism and dwell more on the things we have to be grateful for. The best present we can give another human being is Time.

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfilment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

To one and all I wish a Talent using Thanksgiving!

This is a Halloween story with a difference and not a nut in sight!

Count your garden by the flowers,

Never by the leaves that fall,

Count your joys by golden hours

Never when life’s worries call:

Count your nights by stars not shadows,

Count your days by smiles, not tears,

And on every Birthday Morning

Count your age by friends, not years.

It is a dark, dreary and wet November day. I so want to curl up in bed and close out the world. Instead I have decided to count my blessings - just 20 things off the top of my head that make life and living worthwhile. So here goes:

1. Elly, who made me a mother and gives me love as well as lectures.
2. Jack my late ‘Soul-Mate’, who taught me how to love.
3. My own front door, that I can open to welcome friends or close and keep out the cold, windy and damp weather.
4. Cooking whatever and whenever I feel like eating.
5. A good warm real fire. It adds life to my home and warms my toes like nothing else.
6. Laughing and the Grandmother who taught me to find laughter in everything we did.
7. Helen, a friend who is like a tonic and makes me glad to be alive.
8. Good Coffee.
9. Sharing a nice bottle of wine with friends.
10. MSN Messenger for keeping in contact with family and friends around the globe.
11. A walk in the woods or by the sea.
12. BBC World Service for the hours when I can’t sleep.
13.Needlework of the creative type rather than repairs.
14. Having a good head of hair, even if the auburn is losing the battle with the grey.
15. That I can eat what I like without wearing it on my hips.
16. Being a size 10/12.
17. Birdsong especially in the morning.
18. Listening to music.
19. Reading, even if I am slow.
20. The person who invented Tissues.

Now I am sure you can do better than this. Go on give it a try!