Thanksgiving

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Looking at me

Thanksgiving here in the US means a lot of different things to different people.  I think that all of us need to sit back and take in one of the meanings: a time to reflect and be thankful.  Sure, there’s a lot out there that seems totally awful, from barrel bombs filled with chlorine killing little kids in Syria to police under large corporation control soaking people trying to protect their water on a freezing night.  Sometimes we are angry or sad, but every so often we do need to sit back and think about what we have.  So today I will participate in the “Full Grown Nerd’s” (Ms. Emily) “Three Things Thursday” thankfulness linkup.

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Obviously there is family.  As I’ve said often in the last week, I had a good visit with my brother this weekend.  I just got off the phone with my parents and will most likely talk to them again later in the day.  I’ll also talk to my sisters this afternoon.  I have a pretty good relationship to my family, even if I don’t see them often.  I know a lot of people whose relationship to their siblings and/or parents is very dysfunctional.  That is something to be thankful for.

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Another one is health.  I am very rarely sick, so I often take my health for granted.  This week I had a bit of a misstep.  OK, I feel off of a cliff and bounced my way to the bottom.  I have a lot of cuts and bruises and some swelling, but nothing serious.  I was able to enjoy the rest of the hike (about an hour) without issues and drive the two hours home.  But it does make me think how lucky I am, not just on this fall, but in my life in general.  So my health is another thing to be grateful for.

Woods

Woods

I have to admit that I have a lot of nice things.  I try not to talk about them much because so many that I know have a hard time putting food on the table.  I have worked hard for these things, but so do those people I’m talking about.  I can easily live without many of these things, but I’ve become a little spoiled.  Today when I have my Thanksgiving dinner (not turkey – I get very sick off of turkey) I will have to think about friends, family members, acquaintances and even strangers, that can’t count on having healthy food to eat every day.  So I am thankful that I have the resources to be able to eat healthy every day and still have enough left over for these other things.  (Yes, I have lived off of peanut butter and Ramen Noodles, so I can at least slightly understand how lucky I am.)

Out of my window

As a bonus fourth thing, which you might guess by looking at these photos,I am thankful to be surrounded by natural splendor and have the ability to appreciate it.

So on this Thanksgiving Thursday, why don’t you join Ms. Emily over at the Full Grown Nerd’s place or go the link-up linky and join in her three things.  And remember, she does this every week :)

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24 thoughts on “Thanksgiving”

  1. Pingback: If Were Having Coffee on the 26th of November | Trent's World (the Blog)

  8. Joanne Sisco

    Your 3 things are really big ones, Trent. They are 3 things we should occasionally acknowledge how blessed we are to have them in our life – and “blessed” is not a word I toss around very often.

    I’m glad your tumble on the mountain was not a serious one. It frightens me how a small mistake can have disastrous results. Thankfully this was not one of those.

    Stay well and Happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      That’s the reason I don’t participate more often, I do take on the big things ;) I agree with your thoughts about “blessed”.

      It was a very scary tumble. As I wrote this post I couldn’t help thinking of your family’s issues! Yesterday I went back and looked at the photo of your son’s swollen foot and thought about my own swollen ankle and leg, then your collarbone problem and thought about the ache in my shoulder. And, ouch!, I hope you and yours heal well! I do feel very lucky!
      Have a great day and weekend! I hope your December goes better than November!

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      1. Joanne Sisco

        That fall could have ended very badly and I can just imagine what was going through your mind! At least I had a helmet on!
        Since I’m rather held up right now, I doubt I can get into much trouble – at least that’s the plan :)

        Have a great weekend Trent.

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Thanks! Thanksgiving is part of our national “mythology” and has some pretty good messages. Unfortunately, the people we “celebrate” did awful things to the native population, so it has to be seen mostly as the metaphor of harmony and thankfulness. At least that is how I see it :)
      Have a great day!

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  10. fullgrownnerd

    Oh, I’m so, so happy to have you in Three Things Thursday land! I hope you and your family have a beautiful day!

    (I am adding to my list of things to be grateful for that you weren’t seriously injured in your fall!)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I mean to participate most weeks, but one thing leads to another… I couldn’t miss this week, though! It’s a very quiet day, which is good! I hope you’re having a great day, too!

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