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Ten Things of Thankful: Life is Blooming with Good Things

Photo: A large Christmas cactus is covered with bright red blossoms
As we head into the Thanksgiving week, I'm finding it easy to notice things around me that bring a sense of gratitude. I could have been born in a different place and time, but instead, I'm living here and now. The very fact that I don't need to worry about whether or not my basic needs will be met is reason enough to recognize what a blessing that is. Even in the here and now, though, there are those who struggle to obtain the simple necessities. While I may be better off than some, I am not better than any. Noticing things that I am thankful for brings me both a feeling of joy and peace along with a sense of responsibility to do what I can to help relieve the pain of others. 

Each week, bloggers all over the world come together to share thankfulness. We get a glimpse inside the life of each person, and we recognize that gratitude comes to all, as they seek it. Won't you join us?

This week, I have noticed the following things:

1. I'm thankful that the road repairs in my neighborhood are basically finished. This has been a months-long process, and I confess I have been annoyed had a chance to practice patience more than once with detours and unclear directions. I am thankful for the smooth pavement.

2. I am thankful for the Christmas cactus that is blooming, as it has faithfully done for decades. Not only that, but little cuttings (or rather, "falling-offs") that I have sprouted and planted are also budding up and getting ready to bloom. Just like people, no matter the size, age, or stage, there is beauty to be found.

Photo: A tiny little Christmas cactus has one little bud 
3. I'm thankful for our local movie theater. In a time when many theaters charge an arm and a leg for admission and concessions, our local theater keeps prices affordable and still manages to show good first-run movies. John and I watched Ford vs. Ferrari one evening, and when we came out of the theater, there was a car show set up in the parking lot. More recently, we watched A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. What a great movie! I am amazed at the influence one man can have on so many people. At one point in the movie, Mr. Rogers asked a man to take one minute to think. For one minute, not only was the film completely silent, the entire theater was as well. I don't remember if I've ever been in a theater so quiet I could have heard the proverbial pin drop. I credit not just the filmmakers, but Fred Rogers himself. The world needs more people like him. 

4. I'm thankful that after what seems like forever, I am back to the gym and walking with my neighbor. Our schedules have been off-sync and (this upcoming week notwithstanding) it looks like we can get back into good habits. While she is not responsible for my absence from exercise, it is so much easier to work out with a friend, and I'm happy for her friendship.

5. I'm thankful for church. Today's talks were on the topic of uplifting ourselves and others through gratitude. The hymns were the old Thanksgiving hymns, Come, Ye Thankful People; Prayer of Thanksgiving; and For the Beauty of the Earth. Altogether a nice day.

6. I'm thankful for precipitation. We've had some rain, and we have snow in the forecast. I love to see the mountains covered in snow. 
Photo: The view of snow-dusted mountain peaks, as viewed from my back door.
7. I'm thankful for a pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving dinner. Last night, we had a couple of our nephews over for dinner. One of my cousins was also planning on coming, but a last-minute work demand prevented him from being here. In any case, it's nice that we live close enough to get together for family dinners. We spent a fun evening eating and playing games together. 

8. I'm thankful for Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to gathering together with some of my family members, and I'm thankful for all of them, including those who will be celebrating Thanksgiving elsewhere. 

9. I'm thankful for family members who have gone before. I love family history, especially learning the stories. It gives me a greater appreciation for my ancestors, as I learn more about them. I'm also thankful for RootsTech, which is a huge genealogical conference that is held in Salt Lake City each February. In 2020, RootsTech will celebrate its 10th anniversary, from Feb. 26-29. As a RootsTech ambassador, I have been given a ticket to attend, and also have been given the chance to hold a giveaway for a complimentary 4-day pass for one of my readers. If you haven't entered yet, go to this post to enter. RootsTech is for everyone, from the greenest of beginners to the professional genealogists, so even if you are just curious about family history, I recommend entering. I'd love to see you at RootsTech! 

10. I'm thankful for John. He's had a bit of free time lately, as the employees at his company were furloughed for a little over a week, but John got the green-light to work again a few days ago. We're thankful the furlough wasn't long, but we also enjoyed the relaxed schedule during the time off. I think that when retirement comes, we'll be ready--not to ride off into the sunset, but certainly to spend more time together, and watch the sunsets!

Photo: A yellow and coral colored sky, as the sun sets behind the mountains
Joining in the Ten Things of Thankful celebration this week:
The Wakefield Doctrine
A Season and a Time


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Comments

  1. Lisa TomeyNovember 24, 2019 at 3:08 PM

    Enjoy those sunsets with your beloved. Time goes by so fast!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pat BNovember 24, 2019 at 9:59 PM

    A wonderful list of thankfuls! I'm sorry your cousin wasn't able to make it, but I'm guessing the nephews enjoyed being there for a pre-Thanksgiving meal. :-)

    I'm glad the furlough wasn't too long.

    I was able to sing Simple Gifts with the choir today. I love that song!

    Yeah for finished road repairs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiNovember 25, 2019 at 1:07 PM

      We had a nice evening, and hopefully we'll all get together soon.
      The road is much better!

      Delete
  3. Clark FarleyNovember 25, 2019 at 5:11 AM

    Excellent photos (as always). Liked the views up to the mountains, (though not an ocean, I would imagine the view is always different).

    Practicing patient takes...well, patience and... and! the secret ingredient for most things that benefit us, perspective*

    Same with the exercise thing, always a chore to endure the re-establishing of a practice, having another engaged in the same struggle surely helps.

    Have a good week.

    *to substitute the blossoming of 'darn it! they're tearing up the road again!' with, 'this is an opportunity to practice as well as appreciate . etc

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiNovember 25, 2019 at 1:10 PM

      Thank you. We do enjoy the views, and they do change from day to day. (Right now the mountain is almost hidden in clouds/snow.) Even the sunsets (which are the other direction) differ.
      Hope you and Phyllis have a nice Thanksgiving.

      Delete
  4. GirlieOnTheEdgeNovember 25, 2019 at 6:07 AM

    As I read your intro, I was reminded how there is so much that surrounds us, so many events that occur daily (irritating and otherwise, lol) that there is never not a single thankful to be acknowledged or opportunity offered, for which we may reap the benefits.

    #'s 2, 3, and 4!

    Can NEVER keep a Christmas cactus alive, let alone grow new plants from the "falling-offs" :D

    I don't care how big the flat screen TV, there is no substitute for a theater screen and surround sound!

    Keep it up. So much more pleasant to have a work out/walking "buddy". Besides the built in encouragement, it simply makes exercise more enjoyable :)


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiNovember 25, 2019 at 1:25 PM

      I think people have different plant personalities. I know some people claim that orchids are easy to grow. I haven't found that to be the case. I've killed plants with too much water, and others with not enough. Christmas cactus just happen to thrive with my intend-to-water-every-week-but-realistically-more-like-every-2-weeks schedule. :-)

      Delete
  5. Sara Jane KehlerNovember 25, 2019 at 12:06 PM

    I've never seen a Christmas catus before. What color is the bloom?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiNovember 25, 2019 at 1:26 PM

      The one I have is red. The photo at the top of this post is my decades-old Christmas cactus in bloom.

      Delete
  6. messymimiNovember 25, 2019 at 5:14 PM

    An inspiring list, i hope you do get snow on the hills soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiNovember 25, 2019 at 7:55 PM

      It snowed today, and more is forecast for later this week.

      Delete

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