Monday is Thanksgiving Day. As I always write about this holiday, we should be thankful all the time for our advantages; Thanksgiving is a day intended to focus our gratitude, as Christmas does our sense of good will and Christian feelings.
Last year was less than good for me, as I lost some friends, human and feline, and had to give up my house on the last day of December. Even so, 2015 gave me much for which to be grateful. This year has been better. Certainly, there has been no news worthy of stopping the presses, but my life is much better than that of many; better, I suspect, than the world’s majority. For that, I am thankful.
Though I had to sell my house, and will almost surely never be able to buy another, I have found a refuge for myself and my cats. I was very lucky to rent the apartment which I now call our home, as it is run by a cat-friendly company which does not charge tenants ‘pet fees’ (fines) for bringing feline friends with them. It is a cosy abode, well-situated and reasonably priced, for this era.
My friends, human and animal, are doing well. There has been some frustration over Tucker’s diabetes numbers, but he remains in relatively good condition, purring and active - or at least as active as a roly poly sausage gets. Josie and Renn are healthy, and Cammie is firmly my friend - if no one else’s.
I am still employed and, if it is not at my dream-job, I am, nonetheless, still employed. Many are not, or are under-employed. I live in a wonderful, free country, none of whose candidates in the previous election were Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton. I am, myself, healthy, for my age. (At what sad point did I have to start adding that?) If I have suffered adversity, it is nothing to what others have suffered, and are suffering.
I am, as I have been in the past, thankful.
We may not live in mansions, have expensive things or fabulous holidays, and our lives are simple but it does pay to reflect on the good things in our lives.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your holiday weekend - we hope you get time for relaxing and have some little treats.
Simple lives can bring simple joys. They cost less and last longer. Have an enjoyable weekend, you two.
DeleteEven though we may have gone through a few rough patches this year, we still have a lot to be thankful for. At the top of my list is my cats. Happy Thanksgiving, John.
ReplyDeleteYes, my beasts bring me great joy. Cammie just belched in her sleep. I'm glad she can't hear me laughing. Happy thanksgiving to you, Roberta.
DeleteThat's such a positive attitude and those are quite helping. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I've said sometimes that if I don't have everything I want, I have what I need. Someone greater and wiser than myself clearly thinks that's enough. Who am I to argue? Have a wonderful weekend.
DeleteI am glad you have much to be thankful for this year.
ReplyDeleteOlder people such as myself grumble a lot, but much of it is superficial. Deep down, we are grateful. And sometimes, not even that deep down!
DeleteA very happy Thanksgiving to you! I think we all need to remind ourselves (frequently) that we are blessed in so many ways. There's a lot of societal pressure to have this, do that, be this, be that, and just how much we truly have, on every level, sometimes can get lost in that.
ReplyDeleteAs for not being able to buy another house: maybe, maybe not. It would depend on your priorities, where you wanted to live, work (or after retirement), etc. You and I both know it's not all it's cracked up to be, and being financially solvent counts for a great deal.
Purrs from the boys and peace from me. Have a lovely weekend!
You're right, of course. A house would be nice, but now I am in a position with no debts and a bit of a reserve for emergencies. Peace of mind is something to be thankful for, as well. Enjoy your weekend - and holiday - too.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you. I am glad this year is being kinder to you. As for Tucker's numbers, they are a guide and we all hope to get them as near to where they should be as possible. The most important thing though is that he is happy. I know Flynn's T4 for his hyperthyroidism is too high but as he is unable to take the medication for it without becoming very ill, I am very grateful that the Prednisalone keeps him happy with many more good days than bad. We manage their health the best way we can to suit the cat and that is what is important.
ReplyDeleteWe can't always follow the rules in guarding the health of our feline friends, so we do what we can. I think Flynn has much to be thankful for, too, due to his mum and dad.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving fellow Canadian! We do all seem to forget all we have to be thankful for. We are warm and dry, fed, healthy and have people in our life to love and be loved by.
ReplyDeleteTake care and have a wonderful holiday!
Thank you, and the same to you. It's chilly out tonight, but I and my cats are, as you write, warm, dry, fed and healthy. I'll soon have a bath and sit to watch a movie in comfort. Lucky indeed.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you, John, and to Renn, Josie, Tucker and Cammie. Being content and happy with what we have is to have a meaningful life. I know I am so fortunate compared to so many, if not most people: I have my Holly (although I still very much miss my Jessica), I have family and dear friends, good health and a good job. No, I don't own a house or even a condo, but I have a home, something so many people do not have. All the best, Eileen and Holly
ReplyDeleteAnd to you, Eileen. I miss my Tungsten, too, and Bear-Bear, my late foster-cat, whom I still regret not adopting during his last days. But I am thankful I had their company for a while. Having friends for a time is infinitely better than not having them at all.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving John! You've had a lot of changes in the past year and weathered them well. I hope you and all the cats have wonderful Thanksgiving day.
ReplyDeleteThank you. You'll be having some big changes yourself, I know. I suspect you'll handle them well, too. An enjoyable Thanksgiving to you and your family.
DeleteSounds like you've found peace. A blessed gift indeed. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Have a wonderful day. Kiss the kitties for us, please. Love, Kari and the cats.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and I hope you had a most excellent Thanksgiving Day, as well, though it may not be such a holiday in your part of the world. I find more and more that if I and those I care about have security and health, I'm content. I think that may come with age and experience.
Deleteguyz....de internetz moovin at de pace oh snail.....frank lee snail moovez fasturr......we hope thiz commint getz two ewe yet two day ~~~~~~ happee thanx bee giving guys...we hope ewe haza grate day, a pie filled day anda BURD FREE day ~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteMessage received, Tabbies, and thank you. The day was good; plenty accomplished, some time for rest and relaxation. I hope your weekend was enjoyable, and the week coming even better.
Delete