Happy Thanksgiving

Today we are celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving. It is a fitting conclusion to an eventful and stressful week. Even though I have had very little time to spend on the computer in the last week, I have had plenty of time to think. Since the death of my nephew, we have been surrounded by family and friends. We have cried and laughed together. We have had time to reflect on life and death. And today,I have been thinking about the many things I am grateful for.

This year I am grateful for people. As we grieved together and family members came from as far away as Arizona, I felt so blessed to belong to this particular family. They truly are a strength and inspiration to me. I couldn't ask for better people to call my own. I am also grateful to the people in our community. So many of them offered condolences and help to my sister's family and other family members that live in town. I think all of us have had our fridges stocked, and have had many phone calls and visits offering comfort and support. The beautiful thing about this, is that my sister has only been in town for a short while. But people were still there for her.

I am grateful also for the country I live in. Canada is a beautiful place to live. It is wonderful to know that I can count on my children receiving an excellent education. I love the many freedoms that we enjoy.

I am also grateful for all the gifts and talents that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with. I used to lower my head whenever anyone would tell me I was good at something. But I have learned in the last year to accept these compliments gracefully. We are all given gifts, and I am trying to develop mine and share them with others.

There are so many other things I am thankful for. It is so important to take the time to remember them, and remind myself of how good life really is, despite, or because of the trials. So I wish a Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians and anyone else who needs a moment to stop and be grateful.