Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has been celebrated in Canada since the 1700’s according to Google and Wikipedia. In 1957 the Canadian Parliament officially proclaimed the 2nd Monday in October the official Thanksgiving Day “a Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed”.

It was tradition in our house growing up to celebrate Thanksgiving. It was an exciting day of family gathering and feasting on turkey and pumpkin pie. As I grew up, I learned the special meaning of being thankful. We really have so much to be thankful for. Facing difficulties truly tested my understanding of gratitude. I found that focusing on what I was thankful for helped me gain perspective. Instead of dwelling on what was missing, I learned to appreciate what I had. I got frustrated at what I considered a failure, but lessons were learned and strength built through hardship, and there was always the comfort of knowing I was not alone. I am an outdoors girl, so better yet, I find great joy and thankfulness in planting and harvesting, cattle and horses, nature; the river, the pastures, the storms, the sunshine on the most beautiful day, and most of all, God, the one who created it all and said “I know my thoughts I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you a future and a hope”. Jeremiah 29:11 The Webster dictionary says hope is “desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment”. That means that a desired, positive future outcome is possible, coupled with the motivation and capability to achieve it! I’m excited and thankful for “Future and hope”!

May your Thanksgiving be filled with laughter, delicious food, and the company of friends and family. As we celebrate this special occasion, may you find many moments to be thankful for and share them with your friends and family. May these memories last all year long!

Enjoy the turkey, savour the pumpkin pie, and take some time to appreciate all the blessings in your life. Warm wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!