Thanksgiving Blessings

We have much to be thankful for today at Shady Hollow. To name a few:

Jim has made an entire year without a hospital stay. During 2008 I was on a first name basis with the staff of 2-West at Pardee Hospital. Wonderful people, each and every one, but I don't mind not seeing them.

We made an entire year without losing a beloved pet, although our little dog Jay-Jay and Tigger the cat gave us and our vet a run for our money. Last year at this time we were still mourning the loss of Lucy, one of the sweetest calico's that ever lived on the planet.

The children, grandchildren and great-grand children are healthy. We don't see them often, but they stay in touch. Each email, call and visit is a special occasion for us.

Our dear neighbor has, by all indications, beaten his cancer. He endured a summer of chemo and radiation with a smile and kept all the rest of us from worrying. Even during the worst of his chemo he would walk down to check on Jim.

Other neighbors are doing well. We are blessed to have people nearby who will make sure we are alright and offer assistance when they see we have a need without waiting to be asked.

I still have a job, although I was sure I would be one of the unlucky ones who were let go.

In the hustle and bustle of daily life it is easy to let these blessings be taken for granted. We all are guilty of that. It is part of the human condition. It is good that we have a national day of thanksgiving. A national feast-day to stop, enjoy family and friends, do something for the less fortunate, and thank the Gods for all that we have.

As Shady Hollow rests from the summer of gardening and harvesting we stop to take stock of our blessings. They are many, too many to name or count.

I thank the Goddess and God for my life, my family, my friends and my pets. They make my journey a wonderful thing to behold.