Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. For the non-Canadian readers in the crowd, Thanksgiving Day in Canada falls on the second Monday of October. Did you know that Canada’s Thanksgiving was first celebrated in 1578? That’s about 40 years before the first American Thanksgiving. Who knew! There are many other countries that celebrate Thanksgiving in October or November, including Liberia, Japan, Norfolk Island, China, Vietnam, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Grenada, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Barbados, Ghana, Malaysia, and Israel.
Historically, Thanksgiving was a time to celebrate the harvest. But over time, this focus has shifted because of our relationship with the land. Most of us don’t think about where the food we buy in the big supermarket comes from. One thing is certain. Thanksgiving celebrations bring people together. They help us reflect on the important things in life: family, friends, and health. And of course, in some places, football!
I love Thanksgiving, and as usual, I totally outdid myself this year—eating, not cooking. My husband makes the turkey, Salvadoran-style, and I just bring in the extras. You know, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, “mom’s jellied salad” (a 1970s recipe from my mother), and assorted vegetable concoctions. It was a nice time. The family was here; we ate, drank, and played board games. The days of putting everyone on the spot to think of something to be thankful for are over. I’m thankful for mom and dad. I’m thankful for…my house., etc. Don’t get me wrong. I think it is very important to be thankful for all the good in our lives. With all the shit going on in the world today, we often forget just how lucky we are. Our First World problems are trivial compared to those of others.
I need to be more intentionally thankful in my life. I would like to change the beige-coloured glasses to rose-coloured ones. Life is short, and time seems to go faster the older I get. I’m not saying we should put blinders on and block out all the nasty things going on in the world. I’m saying we should have balance. Be aware but be thankful for what we have. And as someone who is getting older, there are many things to be thankful for!
- I’m thankful I don’t have to care about what others think anymore. It’s cool not to be cool.
- I’m thankful I can appreciate the little things around me and take joy in their existence.
- I’m thankful I can celebrate my successes—and they don’t have to be big, thank goodness!
- I’m thankful for free music streaming services so I can still enjoy music from the 70s.
- I’m thankful I have kids so they can teach me how to use my phone.
- I’m thankful for the seniors’ discount. It may not be much, but it means I can spend more on popcorn or fancy coffee.
- I’m thankful for TUMS so I can enjoy that fancy coffee (and a whole lot of other things that give me heartburn).
- I’m thankful I know younger people, so I can be grateful there are things I don’t have to worry about anymore. Been there, done that.
- I’m thankful I now have an excuse to watch the Game Show Network.
- I’m thankful that I can say “I’m busy” when I watch the Game Show Network AND crochet at the same time.
- I’m thankful for glucosamine because I can play pickleball without getting sore knees.
- I’m thankful for pumpkin spice because it makes everything taste better, especially lattes.
- I’m thankful for Mahjong. (Although when I told someone that it is one of the top five brain games, their reply was, “Oh? And how long have you been playing?” We had a good giggle over that!)
- I’m thankful for sunny afternoon drives to small prairie towns… . and their delicious bakeries/cafés to sit and enjoy a treat with a friend.
- I’m thankful for the beautiful autumn colours. The vibrant golds, reds, and greens remind me that I am fortunate to live in such a beautiful, peaceful place.
- I’m thankful I woke up this morning.
- I’m thankful I have a drama-free, healthy family.
- I’m thankful for the sound of geese overhead as they make their way south to warmer climates. It reminds me to accept change and to adapt with grace.
- I’m thankful that I can take my dog for a walk throughout the neighbourhood and not worry about bombs falling or guns blasting.
- And of course I’m thankful for my family, my friends, and my home.
- I’m also thankful for this blog. It has given me something productive to do as I ease into retirement and aging. Remember to comment. Remember to subscribe. I’d be thankful for that!
'thankful' by Ullie Kaye Poetry
today i am thankful for eyes that have come to see that life will not always be easy. that roads will bend. that lines will blur. that tides will rise. and that storms will come. i am thankful for those lights that took the form of human. who shone into me when i was at my lowest. who were not afraid of sadness. or darkness. or the many layers that wove themselves around me and made me hard to understand. or reach. or even hard to love sometimes. i'm thankful for skies that change color. for paths that change direction. and for seasons that remind me that we are all just one breath away from a new beginning. i am thankful, knowing that kindness still exists. that the truth is out there. that faith can move mountains. and that i was made for every last bit of it.
Interesting Reads & Things
Thanksgiving Day 2024 in Canada (timeanddate.com)
Explaining Canadian Thanksgiving To Americans – YouTube
8 Tips to Be More Grateful After 50 (living50.com)
I’m Grateful For. . . – Wanderings Art
The Power of Gratitude as You Age (seniorhelpers.ca)
Grateful for Getting Older – Grateful.org
The Power of Choosing Gratitude | Tye Dutcher | TEDxGrandCanyonUniversity (youtube.com)
Wanderings Art 