It is Thanksgiving this week in the US and, with an American in the house, we also celebrate the day - although not quite in as big a way. But we have family over, try to cook a nice supper and give thanks for our many blessings.
This year I thought I would be nice to give thanks publicly (sort of like giving the acceptance speech at an awards ceremony) to all the people I am grateful to have in my life and which I sometimes take for granted. So a big fat thank you from the bottom of my heart
- to my husband for being more patient with me than I deserve and for rubbing my feet (nearly always) whenever I ask.
- to my son who, at fifteen and around a foot taller than I am, still loves to spend time with his old mama and who has a generous and kind spirit.
- to my parents who, to this day, go out of their way to help me in any way they can.
- to my best friends, Sylvana, Debbie and Liliana, for all the laughs and memories that only 45 years of friendship can provide.
- to my best friends from college, Corinne, Etienne and Jurgen for having been there through thick and thin during some of the most difficult times of my life.
- to my blogging and Insta buddies, especially Elizabeth (The Vintage Contessa), Debbie (View From Harmony Hills) and Gattina (Writer's Cramps) for supporting this blog for so very long and taking the time to comment on nearly all my posts.
- to all those that stop by to read my (sometimes erratic) thoughts: your visits are always appreciated.
And, while I'm at it, I'm also thankful for
- books and the authors that write them
- vaccines and the scientists that work so tenaciously to make them
- being able to travel again
- our proximity to Italy and its beauty
- Europe and its diverse cultures, languages and history
- the sea that surrounds us and that calms all my moods
- the fleeting beauty of these leaves*
- life and nature and sunshine and rain
- the promise of tomorrow.
I wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.
* I spent a good 45 minutes trying to capture the beauty and colours of these leaves. They were hanging on, tenuously, to the trees that grow on the slopes of the town of Montalcino. I did not have a tripod so I tried to balance my camera as best I could on the top of the metal railing that was all there was to stop me from plunging into the valley below. We don't get the fall/autumn colours here so I was really happy to have the opportunity to spend some time immortalising their beauty.
Loree I have been following you for a while and always enjoy your photos, your stories, your heart felt thoughts and your book reviews. This latest post really touched me because you opened your heart to all those whom you appreciate. This is something I have trouble doing but something which I would like to get better at. Please keep sharing because there are probably many others out there like me who enjoy your blog from a distance but are hesitant to be open and honest like you.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: thank you for the lovely and unexpected comment. It really made my day.
ReplyDeleteAh Loree thank you for mentioning me in this post. I am the one who is thankful for your blog. I always come away with beautiful picturesque views of a world that may be far away in travel but so close when I visit you. It is nice that you celebrate Thanksgiving with your beloved hubby. This being my favorite holiday I would miss it greatly if we didn't celebrate. Thank you again friend for your faithfulness. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHERE I AM LATE TO THE PARTY BUT I ARRIVED!
ReplyDeleteWHAT AN EXQUISITE POST!
I LOVED YOUR LIST OF WHO YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR...............LUCKY YOU you have a foot massager!
Lucky you you still have a TEEN who wants to hang out with his MAMMA!
AND Mostly LUCKY YOU to have BOTH YOUR PARENTS SO CLOSE BY!
WHAT AM I THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR?
I CAN WHOLE HEARTILY SAY THE MEDICATION CALLED BRIVIACT!
IT HAS BEEN A LIFE SAVER FOR ME THESE PAST TWO MONTHS!I AM FINALLY FEELING BETTER AFTER NOT for YEARS OF NOT FEELING WELL..........IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING FOR ME...............TWO MONTHS IN AND TWO SMALL EPISODES AS I CALL THEM.SURE BEATS 4 to 8 a MONTH and NOT so SMALL!
I HAVE A LOT OF ATCHING UP TO DO!
NEW BLOG POST ON DEC FIRST FROM ME!!!!
XOXO
What a nice list and you do like I, we celebrated the Italian traditions as you do with you American husband, that's nice ! I was so surprised that your son is 15 already ??? geez I remember the times when you wrote about him when he was five ! My goodness that's really a long time ! My son wasn't kind at 15 he was in full puberty and being kind to mothers was not in fashion ! Fortunately that didn't last too long when he was 19 it got better !
ReplyDelete