Happy Thanksgiving to My Friends and Family

Thanksgiving is one of those rare moments in the year when we collectively slow down, gather around beautifully decorated tables, and genuinely reflect on the blessings in our lives. Today, I want to pause and share a heartfelt message: Happy Thanksgiving to my friends and family. You are the heart of my world, the source of so much joy, and the reason this season feels extra meaningful.

This picture is the kitchen table I had in Southern Utah. I gave it to one of my daughters when I moved up north. The interesting thing is, we don’t have a kitchen table in this new house. I loved decorating that table for the holidays. I miss doing that. Life has changed here; we had to let go of my family table. It went to a good home, I promise.

Happy Thanksgiving to My Friends and Family

A Time to Reflect on Gratitude

As the year comes to a close, Thanksgiving offers a beautiful reminder to acknowledge the people who enrich our lives. My friends and family are at the top of that list. From everyday conversations to the big celebrations we share, each memory is a reminder of how blessed I am to have you in my life. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling; it’s a practice, and today it’s stronger than ever.

Why Friends and Family Matter Most

No holiday meal or seasonal tradition would mean the same without the people who make them special. Friends bring laughter, support, and connection. Family brings comfort, history, and unconditional love. Whether we see each other every day or catch up when life allows, the bond we share is something I hold deeply in my heart. This Thanksgiving, I celebrate not just the holiday, but you.

Whether Near or Far, You’re Always Close in My Heart

Some years, we gather at the same table. Other years, miles may keep us apart. But distance never diminishes the love, the memories, or the gratitude I feel for each of you. Whether we’re sending messages, sharing photos, or reminiscing over the phone, I’m thankful for the many ways we stay connected. Your presence in my life, near or far, is a gift I never take for granted.

The Beauty of Shared Traditions

From favorite family recipes to the sound of laughter in the kitchen, Thanksgiving traditions create moments we carry year after year. I cherish the stories told around the table, the smell of dinner cooking, and the simple joy of spending time together. These traditions remind me that the best parts of Thanksgiving aren’t the dishes on the table, but the people around them.

A Message of Love and Appreciation

So today, from the bottom of my heart: Happy Thanksgiving to my friends and family. Thank you for the love you show, the support you offer, and the moments of joy you bring into my life. I’m grateful for every one of you, and I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with warmth, peace, and the comfort of being surrounded by those you love.

Wishing You a Beautiful Holiday Season Ahead

As we move into the rest of the holiday season, may your home be filled with peace, your hearts be full of gratitude, and your days be rich with memories worth keeping. Here’s to good food, good company, and a season full of blessings.

Things To Be Thankful For This Year: A Heartfelt Reflection on Gratitude

As the year winds down and the holiday season draws near, many of us feel inspired to pause, reflect, and appreciate the blessings, both big and small, that have shaped our lives. Taking time to recognize the good around us is more than a seasonal tradition; it’s a grounding practice that helps us stay connected to what truly matters. Here are some of the most meaningful things to be thankful for this year, whether you’re celebrating privately, sharing with loved ones, or gathering around the Thanksgiving table.

1. Health and Well-Being

One of life’s greatest gifts is simply waking up each day with the ability to breathe, move, and experience the world. Whether you’ve enjoyed good health this year or overcome challenges, there’s a deep sense of gratitude in acknowledging how far you’ve come.

2. Family—Near or Far

Family shapes our roots, our memories, and our sense of belonging. Even if circumstances kept you apart this year, the bond of family remains a powerful source of love and strength. From holiday gatherings to simple phone calls, family is worth celebrating every day.

3. True Friendships

Friends are the family we choose. They lift us when days feel heavy, celebrate our wins, and share life’s everyday moments. This year, cherish the friends who showed up, checked in, made you laugh, or reminded you that you’re not alone. When I started blogging, I had no idea all the special friendships I would make. I feel blessed. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

4. A Safe Place to Call Home

Whether it’s a cozy apartment, a busy household, or a quiet space of your own, having a place to rest and feel safe is one of the greatest blessings. Home is not just a location, it’s a feeling of comfort, peace, and belonging.

5. Everyday Comforts

Warm meals, running water, a soft blanket, a favorite chair, a good book, these simple comforts often go unnoticed. Yet they are daily reminders of stability, security, and abundance.

6. Opportunities for Growth

Every year brings lessons that stretch us, strengthen us, and help us become more resilient. Be thankful for the challenges you overcame, the new skills you learned, the goals you reached, and even the setbacks that shaped you.

7. Nature’s Beauty

The changing seasons, colorful sunsets, crisp fall air, and quiet early mornings all offer moments of peace and reflection. Nature invites us to breathe deeper and appreciate the world around us.

8. Acts of Kindness

Whether from strangers or loved ones, kindness has a way of brightening even the hardest days. A helpful neighbor, a thoughtful message, a warm smile, these gestures remind us that goodness still surrounds us.

9. Faith and Inner Strength

For many, faith provides guidance, comfort, and hope. Inner strength, often discovered in challenging seasons, is worth acknowledging and appreciating. Gratitude for spiritual growth and emotional resilience is powerful and grounding.

10. The Gift of a New Day

No matter what this year held, each day brought fresh hope and new beginnings. Waking up with the opportunity to try again, love more, show kindness, and build something meaningful is one of the greatest blessings of all.

11. Love From Furry Friends

Early this year, we lost our little five-year-old Shih Tzu named Izzy. We had the blessing of loving her for those five years and struggled when we lost her to lymphoma. Mark and I debated whether it was time to move on without another furry friend around the house. As we contemplated what that might feel like, I spent some time online checking out fun dogs that might be available. One posting caught my attention, and I called the family offering an 18-month-old small Shih Tzu for sale.

We decided to visit the family and check out what the pictures showed: a cute little dog named Stella. She came running up to us, jumped into our laps as we sat on the couch, and gave each of us a loving hug! We immediately fell in love and brought her home. She has been the most caring and devoted of our Shih Tzus, and we can’t picture ever doing without her. Cherish those little pets that can be a chore at times; they help make us who we are.

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Final Word

In a world that moves fast, gratitude helps us slow down and see the beauty in what we already have. Whether your list is ten things or a hundred, taking time to appreciate your blessings can bring comfort, joy, and renewed perspective. As we step into a new season, may gratitude guide your heart and fill your days with peace and purpose. May God bless this world, Linda

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