What are you thankful for?

“Suddenly there came a tapping, as of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.” I looked up to see a blue jay pecking at our sliding glass door. “Only this, and nothing more.” I laughed as Poe’s words came to mind. The bird looked right at me before he flew away. It was a fitting beginning to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
There are many things to be thankful for this year. My mother has survived not only another heart attack but a case of cellulitis that brought her to our local hospital. The time she spent here made me realize how fortunate we are to have such a wonderful resource in our town. Not only did they take good care of her, they bundled her up on a daily basis so I could take her for a walk outside. I firmly believe in the healing power of fresh air. One of the hospital volunteers recognized me and asked if the patient was my mother. When I replied that she was, the volunteer gave Mom a hug. You won’t find that kind of care anywhere else.
I am thankful that my brother has survived yet another attack of kidney stones. These painful crystals have sent him to the hospital more than once. As a result he has amended his diet for the better. This should result in an improvement in his overall health and allow him to be with us for many more decades.
I am thankful that my husband not only survived his knee replacement, but thanks to his hard work and the help of local physical therapists, he is almost back to normal. His surgeon has said he is doing well. We have an appointment to get his other knee replaced soon with the expectation that this time next year he will be totally free of the pain that has plagued him for years.
I am thankful that green marker is no longer permanent. It seems that three-year-old grandson, Nicky, was turned into a tiger with green stripes. I am not sure if this was his idea or not as even his back was covered in green.
I am thankful that I don’t live anywhere that is expected to get five or six feet of snow. The sight of green grass under crispy brown leaves is what I like to see this time of year. Yes, snow is beautiful. Yes, it forces us to slow down. Yes, it muffles the noise of everyday life. And on and on. But it is also cold and has the possibility of causing any number of bad things. So, give me ragged grass and dry streets and I’ll be happy.
I am thankful for the big dogs that bark at me on my walk. So far they haven’t torn me limb from limb, opting to stay in their yard instead.
I am thankful that I don’t live in a country where the men are so afraid of women that they kidnap and sell them. We have many problems in this country, but few of us live with the fear of being sold. One of the things I like best about our town is how safe it is. Not everyone has the luxury of saying that.
I am thankful for the request from my daughter for a Santa letter. As Santa’s Official Scribe I have been known to send letters from Santa to selected children. It is the most fun I have all year as far as writing is concerned. Thinking up mischief for the elves is great fun. It helps reinforce the magic of Christmas and lets kids believe in Santa just a little longer.
There is so much to be thankful for this year. My loved ones and I are still alive and relatively healthy. There have been friends and family who have passed on and we cherish the times we had with them.
I hope you also have much to be thankful for this year. If you hear a tapping on your window, it just might be a blue jay stopping by to say happy Thanksgiving to you.