Giving Thanks

Fall is my favorite time time of year.  I know I may say that with the onset of each of our four glorious seasons, but really and truly, fall is my favorite!
 I love the fresh start that "back to school" gives us; the crisp and powerful Autumn air; the subtle way the light changes and the dramatic, inspiring way the leaves change.  More so than summer, I feel the intense desire to be outside and bare witness to the beauty and transformation all around, before its gone. I love being caught in a rainfall of golden leaves and to feel with bare foot the crunch of them between my toes. I love the smell of wet leaves on the ground around Halloween time.  I love apple picking; visiting the pumpkin patch; sipping cider; flannel sheets (especially when they are fresh and my legs are shaved); my most loved fall sweater; acorn gathering with the children and my 90 year old  grampa. I am THANKFUL for all these things. I love Pumpkin pie. I kinda love the bittersweet somber feeling  that fall lends. The way it draws us back inward to prepare for change and darkness. I love the way Kleenex appear in our sweater pockets and I love Thanksgiving. It is every bit as wonderful as Christmas but with half the pressure it seems. I love going to the farm to pick up our turkey and I love that mom cooks it  because I have to say, turkey cooking is really not my forte. I love making the cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes, each year hoping that they'll taste the way Grandmas used to.
 Traditionally, we, as a nation celebrated this occasion as a harvest festival, giving thanks to Mother Earth and the sun and rain for such bounty, such glorious, delicious food. And Even though I personally didn't grow or harvest the food we will eat this weekend I give great thanks to the farmers who did, especially to the small family farms who carry on that lifestyle in a current world which makes it nearly impossible to live off of. I am grateful.

It is important to slow down, and if only for a weekend, to simply enjoy. To reflect, to give thanks, to be outside, and to fill our bellies with good food and our hearts with love. To be aglow.

So here is my short list of Thanks. It is an honest and raw look at the things I am most grateful for now:

I am thankful for my children. Yes,  for their existence but also for the love I  feel, that I didn't know was possible to give prior to their existence. I am thankful for the spiritual and challenging path motherhood has thrown me on.  I am thankful for my husband who is willing to ride this roller coaster with me and for being my solid ground. I am thankful for the support of my family and Mother who does everything to help including taking the kids to school and bringing my morning coffee. I am thankful for good coffee. For the handful of amazing women friends, who I can truly be myself around and who love me anyway. I am thankful for my many creative outlets. For the roof over my head. It may not be perfect like the homes I drool over in decorating magazines but it is our home, a place to be cozy, to retreat and to be together. Im grateful for our cottage. My little spot on the water that holds my cherished, childhood memories and the essence of my Grandmother who had passed away. For the clothes on my back because they have come from my favorite store ANTHRO!  Im thankful for good health, I know that sounds silly but anything is possible when your well.I Im thankful for possibilities and for pockets of time in which to dream about the possibilities. For my journals and pen which some times is my best friend.
I suppose Im thankful for NOW,  this quite moment where I can FEEL thankful for all the things Im thankful for! With this warm and grateful feeling I could go on and on, but I wont. Giving thanks is fun and puts a smile on your face or maybe a joyful tear in your eye. Try it!

Happy Thanks Giving, enjoy!