Good morning! The “big day” is just two days away for those of us in the US. I have been inundated with pre-black Friday sales and recipes these last few days and that is not a bad thing but I have been feeling as if the true spirt of the holiday is missing.
Today I wanted to take a moment and reflect on a few things that I am thankful and grateful for.
I am thankful that I am healthy when so many are not.
I am grateful that I come from a loving family and although we sometimes have our differences we are excited to be with one another this week.
I am thankful that I have the love and friendship of a few good friends who support me and love me even when I am not that loveable.
I am grateful for my yoga teacher and all that she has taught me this year not only physically but lessons for life which I use every day. I am grateful for the community that she has created of diverse men and women that come together and feel just like family.
I am thankful for my dogs, the joy and happiness they bring to my life is immeasurable.
I am thankful that my mother and my sisters are my best friends.
I am thankful for my husband who has been by my side for the best and the worst times of my life and when I have lost hope he never has.
I am thankful that I live in this country where were are free to vote, voice our opinion, have running water, electricity, and the ability to be whatever we want to be.
I am grateful that I am loved.
I am thankful and grateful for all those who visit my blog and share in the comments their knowledge, finds, recipes and more. And I am so grateful for the friends I have made through blogging.
I could go on and on because there are so many things in my life that I am grateful and thankful for but I will leave it here. I hope that you to take a minute or two over the next few days to do the same.
That said, I know that the holidays are sometimes difficult for some people who are estranged from
their families or have difficult relationships with them. Enjoy your friends and the people you love who are like who are like family.

This is beautifully written, Elizabeth. It is too bad that Black Friday has overtaken Thanksgiving, which was the most generous and non-commercial of any holiday. All of my European friends love American Thanksgiving, because it's about sitting around a table with loved ones, and that's all.
Newly vegetarian, we won't be having a turkey, but pumpkin pie isn't out of the question.
I don't participate in Black Friday. It's crazy. I used to be more proud to be a US citizen. But not so much anymore. Now other countries officials warn their citizens not to travel to the US because of the gun violence. And our politicians here are evidently owned by the NRA. Add to that the era of Trump and I'm disgusted much of the time by what was once a wonderful and humane country full of compassion for immigrants.
Brenda
We already had our Thanksgiving in October.
Mind you, this year for me was a difficult Thanksgiving, but it's behind me.