Comments on: giving thanks

By: Toni McGee Causey

Toni McGee Causey — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:54:24 +0000

Thanks, everyone, for your wonderful, heartfelt replies. I ended up without internet most of the day and came home so very late, we just crashed. It was a wonderful day, though, spent with family we don’t get to see nearly enough. I’m just sorry I missed being able to read and comment all day! You guys were great.

By: Silver James

Silver James — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:39:34 +0000

Arriving late, but I wanted to add my thanks to you for the post. As always, you brought a smile to my face and a nod of recognition to your thoughts. Been there, done that, can’t wear the tee-shirt anymore because it’s too faded (or small – lol).

I’m thankful The Only survived that rollover four years ago, and that her vision is now most restored. I’m thankful we live where one of the world’s best eye clinics is located.

I’m thankful for every day when I open my eyes and take a deep breath. There was a time when my lungs didn’t always do that. And there was a different time when I seriously considered just staying in the dark and ending it.

I’m thankful for every time I laugh and for every time I cry. They remind me that joy and sadness enrich my life.

I’m thankful for friends who kick my arse or hug me, and thankful they know when to do which.

I’m thankful for my life. For all the bad, there has been tremendous good and I don’t think I would ever go back and change it.

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all.

By: Cele

Cele — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:42:13 +0000

Toni, amazing post, thank you for the reminder.

while we do tend to be thankful for the good things in our lives, I have often been – well maybe not thankful – but I guess grateful for some of the really terrible things in my life, because where we have been is who we are. The people, places, actions, and affects have all be folded into what be become – without each one of those ingrediants we are a different someone.

While it sounds bizarre I have to say that without having lost my brother I would not have seen the fuller giving side of my family. If I’d not gone through rape, I would not have known 1) the strenght inside myself 2) that I am a survivor 3) learned to help others survive. If I’d not been married to a brutal man I’d have not learned 1) what addiction truly is 2) that I can walk away, 3) Pretty smiles can hide black vipers 4) And that I am not and will not be a punching bag.

It is all about the journey. Where I have been is who I am. I wear each mark, each affect, each stretch mark and bruise, each smile and kind word, each tear and raindrop. Each friend near or lost resides in a nook in my heart, each memory is taken out and petted, cherished, and stored for safe keeping as a reminder of who has touched me and altered and remarked my course.

I am thankful, because I am so genuinely blessed.
Sith.

By: Karin Tabke

Karin Tabke — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:10:18 +0000

What a heartfelt post, Toni. Yanno, the other day one of my kids asked me if I regretted not finishing college. My gut reaction was, Yes! And I wish I had be more adventurous and done all kinds if crazy things! But like George, I realized in the next breath, had I done all of those things I would not be pulling up into the driveway of the house that love and hard work built. So, no regrets. The good the bad the ugly the hard the easy and the heartbreaking, all of those steps brought me to a place I would not trade for the world.

However! I see adventure in my future. Lot’s of it!

By: Allison Brennan

Allison Brennan — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:22:57 +0000

I would say that I’m thankful for my bad covers (last trilogy) so that I really appreciate the good covers!!! (SIN series.)

By: Allison Brennan

Allison Brennan — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:22:09 +0000

Whoops, hit the submit too soon! . . . I was going to say after my career, getting burned out on said career and turning back to writing but instead of as a stress-relieving hobby, turning to it seriously. Sometimes, we really do make the right choice for the wrong reasons.

By: Allison Brennan

Allison Brennan — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:20:37 +0000

You’re amazing, Toni. I’m thankful you’re my friend.

I try never to live in the past regretting choices I’ve made because you can really beat yourself up. I moved in with my boyfriend when I was 18 and gave up a great opportunity in Southern California at the University of Redlands in order to stay in Northern California and be close to him. I’m thankful that I made that choice because even though I ended up breaking up with him, dropping out of college, and moving to Sacramento making a pittance, without that experience I’d never have ultimately met my husband, had my fabulous kids, had my career in the legislature

By: Jackie B.

Jackie B. — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:51:11 +0000

I am Thankful to be able to reach out and read lovely posts like this one Toni, it makes us think about things when someone else puts it down in words we can all relate to. I too have had a lifetime of things that made me cry, rage against the injustice of it all and generally feel that life was out to get me in some way shape or form. I am close to 50 now and with age came the wisdom to know that not everything is “all about me”, things happen to everyone that takes the wind out of our sails and causes heartache of some kind…
I am a little more kind when someone else does something do not like or approve of, am a little more patient when someone cuts me off in traffic or cuts place in a line at the checkout. I am a little more observant of the needs of others than of my own as it puts a smile on someone’s face when they feel like they matter to you….

I thank everyone today on this National
Thanksgiving Holiday who is spending it overseas in the war away from their loved ones and friends. I am thankful for their sacrifice so the rest of us can enjoy our wonderful United States and freedom to live as we please….
I am thankful today to be able to sit at a table with a plentiful plate of food and dessert. I am thankful to live where I can see trees wave in the breeze and the sun shines on a green forested area with beautiful wild animals who come visit for my pleasured delight when put out corn and grain for them to eat. I am in a very short thankful to be alive and loved by my family and little pets.

Happy Thanksgiving day to all and be safe….

By: Debra webb

Debra webb — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:41:42 +0000

Wow, Toni! What an honest, heartfelt post. Thank you so much for making me reflect on all the things (good, bad and ugly) that have made me who I am and taught me so much. I am thankful for my wonderful family, my God-sent friends and the many, many adventures I’ve been so blessed to experience!

By: Terri Molina

Terri Molina — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:02:00 +0000

I’m thankful for my grandparents procreating like rabbits because without the 18 aunts and uncles my brothers and sisters and I would have become wards of the state when my parents died.
I’m Thankful I had such a strong mother for the 12 years I did because she taught me to ‘roll with the punches’ and not let the hardships stop you from living the life you want to live. (and to never give up on your dream, whatever it may be)
I’m thankful for finding my husband when I did and us both knowing almost instantly that we would spend the rest of our lives together (and that no matter how much I weight I gain, he’s still madly attracted to me…go figure.)
I’m grateful for the financial struggles we faced over the course of our marriage (living paycheck to paycheck) because it’s taught my children that material things are not important when you have the love of a family.
And I’m thankful for all of the writers in the world and all the writer friends I’ve made because without you and your encouragement and really really great blogs, I wouldn’t be the determined and persistant writer I am today.
I love you gals!

Happy Thanksgiving!