I know Thanksgiving isn’t a universal holiday that is celebrated throughout the world but I do think it’s something we all can grab onto and appreciate. What’s better than a day that is set aside for us to take stock in all the good things we have in our lives.
I have a million things to be thankful for this year.
At the top of my list is that I’ve finally become a little more comfortable at where I am at. It’s been 2 1/2 years now since Kramer, my husband, passed away. I’m far from over it, but I feel comfortable with myself now. The chances of me getting all teary-eyed is there but now as strong. When we get together as a family, we can talk about him without feeling devastated. It will never be awesome…but it can be comfortable. I know what to expect…I know the ache is still there but not hot and fresh anymore. It certainly doesn’t mean I don’t miss him…It just means I can miss him without it consuming me.
I have the best family. My kids are great…my grandkids are great…the in-laws are great. In the family department, I hit the jackpot!!
I’m thankful for …all the things I take for granted:
food
heated home
a roof over my head
the means to afford hobbies
my dog
people in and out of my home
my job-the kids-the parents
freedom
blog readers
friends
That list could go on forever!!
I know many might look at my life and ask how I can be thankful when I have cancer actively growing in my lungs. Here’s why I am still thankful. I’m even thankful for the cancer.
So much has to come to my life because of my cancer. I’ve learned to be more compassionate for others. I’ve gained the ability to be more empathetic. I’ve learned patience. I’ve actively seen so much kindness and generosity from others. Cancer has taught me that life has an expiration date and that I need to do and say what I need to others now. There might not be time to do it later. I’ve learned to be more forgiving.
As weird as it may sound I truly am thankful for my cancer. More good than bad has come to me through my cancer…Kramer’s cancer, I can’t say that about, but mine I sure can.
Cancer has really made me grow as a person. I like the person I am now and in the past, I couldn’t always say that…who knows, maybe that is partially age too.
Where ever you are in life, I hope you too can find many things to be thankful for…and if you can’t. I hope you can find the courage to make the change so next year at this time, you can have a long list of things to be thankful for.
The Kramer family is all at Buck’s house this year. My goal, I want a picture with all of the grandkids. I’d love one of us all but I don’t know if Buck will have a neighbor that might be able to take one for us. We’ll see. I am pretty sure I’ll at least get one with the grandkids. All of them in one house is going to be pretty crazy…but a whole lot of fun too. Watch for pictures in an upcoming post!! Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!!
Jo, I am thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving Jo, to you & your family.
Happy Thanksgiving Jo. Enjoy your day with your family :-)
Happy thanksgiving to you and your family! Love you Miss Jo! ❤️
Jo, I’m so thankful for so many things. 1st is knowing Jedus, 2nd is family it took awhile to be truly thankful for family. But now oh yes. 3r# I’m thankful to live in a country that most of us recognize the need for a day to say thank you Lord and count our blessings. I would have had to learn to be thankful for the cancer.i had cancer v that was found iay stage 1. An operation with no further treatment I’m thankful for. You’re right the list could go for ever. I’m also thankful for my daughter, stepvdaughters and all the grandchildren. What c a joy they are.HAPPY , BLESSED THANKSGIVING!!!!
Happy Blessed Thanksgiving to you and all your family. And v to all your reader/friends.
You are an amazing woman! Positive and down to earth! I hope you will have a great day today!
We are in Sweden but since hubby is American we always celebrate Thanksgiving. It is important to keep both American and Swedish traditions going, the kids and grandkids love the food and we have to take every opportunity to celebrate! Love from Sweden!
Have a beautiful Thanksgiving with your family Jo. I have so much to be thankful for but I’m also thankful to have you as a friend. You are such an inspiration.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and travel safe to your destination today.
Good column. Well written. Thank you. Have a wonderful day with your lovely family!
And a Blessed Thanksgiving to all of you. You’re right – so much to be thankful for.
We are thankful for you, Jo.
Love and prayers
Happy Thanksgiving Jo and family. I also thankful for all I have, I include you and your family as something I am grateful for.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Most of us can reiterate what you put on your thankful list and yes so much that we take for granted. I am thankful that I found your blog a few years ago – you fee like family to me. Blessings to you!
I wish a Happy Thanksgiving to you, Jo, and your whole family. I’m thankful for you for your strength and courage and kindness of heart. Blessings to you all!
I am extremely thankful for family, even my two estranged daughters-in-law. And of course all the grandkids!
Happy Thanksgiving Jo and family! I am so thankful for your blog and so many other things! Have a blessed Thanksgiving with your family.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING JO AND TO THE REST OF YOUR WONDERFUL FAMILY!
I am so thankful for so many things in my life but especially thankful for you and your blog! You are a blessing to all who have come to know you through this blog and to all I’m sure who know you personally!
I know you will enjoy this day with your precious family! Can’t wait to see those wonderful pictures of the memories you are making today!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and the entire Kramer Strong clan :-)
Indeed I am grateful for today for to shun this gift when tomorrow is not promised would be a tragedy.
Blessed indeed. :-)
Happy Thanksgiving, Jo! I hope you realize what a blessing you are to us all. You are very wise and truly an inspiration.t
Happy Thanksgiving Jo, one of the things that I’m thankful for is you and your blog. It has helped me be more sympathetic and understanding of lifes difficult happenings and to appreciate more the time spent with family and friends.
Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for you too. So many lessons in life to learn and hopefully we each get the opportunity to learn them. It is thru adversity that we grow. Last Jan. I fell and it has made walking very difficult for me. Finally, got an MRI and now waiting for an appointment for an epidural to hopefully ease the pain. If it doesn’t work, the next step is surgery. My patience, empathy, caring for others, and gratefulness has skyrocketed. None of us want bad things to happen but bless you for finding the positive.
There is so much to be thankful for…Jesus love and forgiveness, His provisions, the country we live in, our freedoms, For family and friends, for all of our talents and abilities…so so many things. Thank you Jo for all you do for others and introducing us to your beautiful caring family!! Thank you for sharing your family times…those grandkids are such a blessing to all of us and we get to watch them grow up too. Thank you for sharing troubles with us, we can all pray for you.
Happy Thanksgiving! You are loved by many.
Lovely post — I like that expiration date to life phrase.