Sunday, October 11, 2009

Giving Thanks

It's Thanksgiving weekend up here in Canada. Naturally this reminds me of, well, giving thanks. Not too obvious, eh?

We just don't say it enough, do we? So, here I go!

I'm thankful for my family. Hubby, kids, mom, my late father, sis, nieces, nephews and all my wonderful in-laws. I'm one of the lucky ones. My family is tightly-knit. We may drive each other nutty once in a while, but the love and laughter do more than just get us through. They make it all worthwhile.

I'm thankful for my day job. I love teaching and love my kids. I love the fact that in a classroom full of kids from diverse backgrounds & socio-economic levels, my kids don't believe racism really exists. They don't understand it at all :)

I'm thankful for my (non-paying-so-far) evening job. I love to write. Creating characters, plots, settings and connections is a joy, even when it's really, really hard.

I'm thankful for my community and my country and my place in the world. We are indeed making it a better place one day, one moment, at a time.

I'm thankful to my on-line friends who gave me the incentive to take the next steps in writing, to push myself outside my comfort zone. To the online writers' communities who are so willing to give of their time and expertise and love of writing. You're an amazing group! So, if no one has told you lately, thank you for all you do. :)

So, what makes you give thanks?

15 comments:

jmartinlibrary said...

I'm thankful for the life given to me. I have a great husband and son, a wonderfully fulfilling job, and the best friends (online and in person) that a goofball like myself could ever hope for! Happy Thanksgiving!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Jenny :) Ain't life grand when we live a life we love?!

Elizabeth Bradley said...

I'm thankful to be home, even when I'm away for a short time it's always nice to come back home.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I love teachers like you, who love teaching!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder

Unknown said...

I'm thankful for people like you who give thanks to others whom you have never met...people like me....living far away....yet we communicate through cyberspace, be it encouragement or just the odd comment here or there.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Jemi Fraser said...

Elizabeth B - you're so right! Nowhere better than home. Dorothy had it right :)

Elizabeth SC - Thank you so much! :)

Quillfeather - It's amazing how many friends we all have online - friends we've never met - and will likely never meet in "real life". I've so enjoyed becoming part of the writers' blogging and online communities. It's truly an awesome group :)

Thanks to all of you for stopping by!

Cat Woods said...

Jemi, I think you said it so eloquently there is nothing really left to say. I, too, am thankful for the wonderful life I have been blessed to live. It couldn't be better if I had asked for it specifically. And even with my writer's imagination, I wouldn't come close to picturing the gifts I have each day.

I love teachers who love to teach. They're the bomb. Librarians have a special place in my heart, as well. Anyone willing to pass along the gift of reading ranks high in my world.

I love my cyber friends whom I feel such a deep connection to. They make my writing life a true joy. Thanks for the inspiration and support, all.

And last of all, I am thankful to be thanful. That I understand how fortunate I am and can appreciate all the nuances that go with it.

Great post!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Cate :) I love your last paragraph - you're so right. It's so important to realize the wonderful things we all have in our lives!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I'm thankful that no matter what fate throws our way our family pulls together not apart.

I love being given the opportunity to
re-write the national curriculum :S

I'm thankful for supportive friends who make a difference.

Anonymous said...

My health and my family.
I miss my Canadian Thanksgiving. November just seems so wrong...I'll get used to it one day!

Jemi Fraser said...

Elaine - I love the sentiment about families pulling together! So true if you're lucky - and I am :)

I think you're going to do a great job with that new curriculum! Good luck with it!

Jemi Fraser said...

Carolyn - Health and family are really the keystones, aren't they?

I'll send a few turkey/stuffing vibes your way - maybe that will help :)

Belle said...

Thank you for sharing all of this, Jemi - I have so much to be thankful for, too. I can relate so well to what you say about the kids you teach and the wonderful effect of diversity on them - I see it in my own kids.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you, Belle. Nothing better than kids! They make us adults look rather silly at times with their ability to see the real world and the real people in it :)