What are you thankful for?
It’s Thanksgiving today in the US and I have T.H.E (Total Holiday Envy). Ever since I traveled to Chicago in 1997 and celebrated Thanksgiving with my then American boyfriend and his family I’ve been in complete and utter love with the whole concept of Thanksgiving. It’s not about the food. (Okay, that’s a lie. It’s a bit about the food. Think roast turkey, pumpkin pie, lashings of mashed potato, home-made stuffing, gravy, cherry pie… I think I just gained 5kg while writing that sentence). But my real love for Thanksgiving stems from the feeling around the holiday. It’s a holiday where families and friends gather together to give thanks. To remind themselves what they’re grateful for. A time when we get to put our First World Problems into context.
So in honour of Thanksgiving, we’re asking you: What are you thankful for?
I have a few things. I’m thankful that I’m pregnant again and that my pregnancy is going smoothly; I’m thankful for my AMAZING job at Mamamia (corny but true) and I’m thankful that my life is full of potential. So even when things seem crappy, I know I have the ability and the opportunity to turn things around. And, it has to be said, I’m thankful for the chocolate Magnum that’s waiting for me at home in the freezer tonight.
How about you? What are you thankful for right now? Big or small … doesn’t matter. Here’s your chance to be thankful.
Comments
123 Comments so far
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I’m thankful that I have reached 67 years of age in pretty good health. Some of my friends and family didn’t make it to this age.
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I’m thankful for the miracle of IVF which gave us our second son.
I’m thankful that my Nan is nearing the end of her life having lived a good life, still in relatively good health and mentally well at 90. I’m thankful that she will get to see my grandad again sometime soon, who she has missed so much since he died 17 years ago.
I’m thankful that my family is so cruisey that my mum has just employed my stepmum to work with her.
I’m thankful for two boys who think the sun shines out of my bum and a husband who agrees with them
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I am thankful for so many things…but tonight I am thankful for my Mum and Dads absolute love for each other, they have been together for 40 years and were high school sweethearts. I am thankful that after getting my heart broken recently they remind me that there is true and lasting love. When I got home just then they were talking and giggling over tea and chocolate. So cute!
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I feel bad that I couldn’t bring myself to comment here yesterday and vowed to do so today.
For years, I’ve made a point of being thankful on a regular basis, usually when alone in the car, I’ll actually say thank you out loud for my many blessings. And yet, yesterday I was feeling so low that I couldn’t muster up a couple of sentences of thanks without tearing up. Shame on me, with my first world problems, but reading so many other people’s messages of thanks for their kids or pregnancies, I couldn’t help but paint myself as that bitter, barren woman. Today, I will not be her.
So, I’m thankful for:
The fact that I have some options and choices available to help us conceive and that there is still a world of possibility out there.
The fact that my partner is so loving and strong and has been sending me thoughtful, spontaneous messages to show his support and that we’re united in this journey and that it won’t destroy us.
The fact that we live in a country with excellent healthcare
The fact that Kyle Sandilands is getting pulled up on his bullshit
The fact that Tony Abbott is still not Prime Minister
The fact that I have a hot weekend (both literally and figuratively) ahead of me
Please, body, don’t let my period arrive today…
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I’m thankful for the ANF, the right to prostest peacefully and the ability to leave work early and have a few cheeky beers with the girls.
Australia is the lucky country.
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I’m thankful for:
- My wonderful, hilarious & supportive friends
- My sisters who are both awesome
- My amazing parents
- working everyday with people who I actually count as friends, not workmates
- A stress free housemate (last one was a nightmare in the end)
- My health
- living in Australia, which is arguably the best country in the world
- Laughter
- Music
- Relative financial security
- Wine
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I am very thankful for my health, I have had a lot of problems in the past 6 years with a chronic condition (vulvodynia)but finally found a doctor who knew what was going on and was able to help me immensly. Having that burden taken off me makes me feel so grateful every day.
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I am thankful for being up all night with a beautiful family and still manage to have a smile on my face.. am soooo thankful for having the best best best job in the whole wide world. am thankful there are women in the world like Bec and Mia
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I’m thankful for science in medicine – it created a chance for my 25 year old brother to receive a kidney from my Dad. I’m thankful for my Mum who is my best friend. I’ll be thankful when my wild little sister returns from Schoolies! I’m thankful for my grandparents. What and where would you be without family?
Most of all, I am thankful for the moments, usually in my car on a beautiful day, where I have a good song blasting and I realise how truly lucky I am to be surrounded by people I love and love me, I think you have to be thankful of ‘just being content’
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I’m more than thankful that I’ll be spending Christmas with my best friends in New York City. Who even gets to do that? Amazing.
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Can we swap Christmas’ this year? I’ll go spend it with your friends in NYC and you can spend it with my in laws!
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Ditch the in-laws and come along. Ice skating in Central Park beckons…
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I’m thankful for my wonderful husband, who is currently cooking me dinner after having worked a full day, as did I, and having bathed and put our little girl to bed while I played netball at 30 mins notice – he’s ace!
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Nearly 3 years ago my Mum married an American and we have celebrated Thanksgiving ever since. I love it. I too love the food, but more than that I love the reminder to think on and be thankful for all the amazing things in this life! I have blogged today about what I am thankful for: http://www.amandafullerblog.com/2011/11/thoughts-on-thursday-giving-thanks.html
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I am thankful for a roof over my head, a comfy bed, and a hot shower.
I am thankful for healthy family and friends.
I am thankful for a life with ups and downs but still a well lived life.
I am thankful for Mama Mia – corny but I currently live in a remote beach town in NZ and Mama Mia keeps me in touch with what’s happening at home.
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I’m thankful that my mother is smiling again after my dad passed away last year. I thankful that everyone I care about is healthy and happy. I’m thankful that I work in a job I love. I’m thankful for my amazing husband and my beautiful doggy.
I agree about thanksgiving being a day we should celebrate. It’s not often enough that we stop and think about how very lucky were are.
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I am thankful that i have my life with all of its ups and downs.
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I’m thankful for husband, children, part time work, playgroup, living in Australia and in fact lots of things.
Also thankful for posts like this – it’s great to read all the great stuff people are thankful for. Being thankful is a positive wonderful thing. It can really give a person a lift especially when life throws up a challenge or two.
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I am thankful for my two spectacular children, who through their simple, honest love bring such joy to my mum, who is very ill. There is nothing I could do for her or give her that would ever match the pure and joyful love of a giggling four year old and a cheeky two year old. I did not ever realise how much my children would teach me about love and life. I am thankful they are mine!!!
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I’m thankful for the person who introduced me to the rice cooker.
(what? I can be thankful for that!)
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my favourite appliance! Two thumbs up
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This has come had a good time for me, today has been one of those days where you feel like nothing goes your way, everybody is out to get you! So when I read this, I scoffed and though hmmpff nothing! But it has forced me to think about it and I realise that all those things that put me in such a bad mood are just silly first world problems, or not even problems at all. So today I am thankful for my wonderful husband who works so hard to support his family, I’m thankful for my two wonderful children and the tiny baby growing inside me. I’m thankful that I live in this amazing country that offers so much to so many.
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I’m thankful that these things exist in the world:
- sushi
- soy lattes
- the ocean
- NAPROGESIC
- mushrooms on pizza
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I’m thankful that my dear friends, who I can be rubbish at keeping in touch with due to my consistently low energy levels, continue to graciously include me in their lives.
I’m also thankful that after 2 years of unexplained secondary infertility that I’m pregnant again. It seems like a minor miracle.
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Thankful to live in a country where vaccines are freely available so that my kids won’t get the diseases instead. Thankful that child who was vaccinated is now sleeping happily. Thankful for air con too, as a Perthite on a 37 deg day.
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I’m insanely grateful that we have universal, unlimited, free healthcare, & that health funds can’t refuse to cover people with pre-existing conditions. It’s not a perfect system, but I love that it reflects a fundamental belief that every person deserves a fair go, everyone is equal & worthy, & everyone has the capacity to contribute to the community if given the chance. I am Thankful.
Today, I’m thankful to have been sent this article by a friend; I’m grateful that Dan has expressed what I’ve never found the words for, & I’m grateful that there are people in the world who share the fundamental belief in Love. I’m thankful that I can call some of those folks my friends. http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html
Here’s a beautiful TEDx video on Gratitude. I don’t like long videos, but you won’t regret spending the 10 minutes on this.
http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxSF-Louie-Schwartzberg-Grati
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Congratulations on your pregnancy!
I am thankful for this post, for my health and that of those closest to me, for all the opportunities and freedom I have, especially as a woman as I am aware so many others do not. I am thankful that I’ve always had plenty to eat, a place to sleep and people that care.
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I’m thankful we haven’t yet adopted American holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween and that we can still celebrate Xmas and not the “holiday season”.
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I am thankful for being alive and living in the best country in the world. Food plentiful, not war-torn, health care and opportunities to make something of yourself.
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Afternoon everyone – after reading this I’m bloody hungry for some pie.
On a more serious note: I’m thankful for Mia, the great team at Mamamia and YOU – all the awesome commenters on this site.
This time last year I’d dropped out of a boring logistics university course that I hated to follow what everyone else thought was a dorky hobby in community radio.
I swapped university, moved out of home and gave my dream a crack. And then, somehow, for some reason, Mia replied to a tweet from some strange podcasting teenager and gave me fifteen minutes of her time. Following that interview, and Mamamia’s ongoing support, everything’s slowly falling into place. Cheers Mia and team.
And to the crazy smart commenters on this site who took the time to read my stuff; you constantly keep me on my toes and force me to challenge my own views, thanks for being honest.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
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I’m curious, what tweet was it exactly that made Mia respond to you and not the many other journalism students that request interviews from her?
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I’ve been sworn to secrecy WhipperSnapper – but it may or may not have involved cake.
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The things I am particularly thankful for today are;
-that the international meeting I helped coordinate at work went smoothly
-that I was not needed for the last session of said meeting so have a sneaky afternoon off!
-this post, which I kept to read when I got home and could savor the beauty of gratitude
Things I am grateful for more generally are;
-my fab parents – Mum has put up with a tired and frazzled me this week and Dad ran my boring errands with me on Saturday just cause he hadn’t seen much of me lately
-the boy who is worth having a crush on, both for the joy of the crush and the hope of more
-a job that has taken me in an unexpected direction where I have found surprising happiness, and potentially exciting opportunities ahead
-the fantastic people who have come into my life this year and made it much more full
-the health to lead this amazing life, which for so long was a distant dream
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Things going wrong is one of the things that makes me most thankful. I can get kind of complacent when everything’s going swimmingly, but once something goes badly I think of all the ways I’ve been lucky. Someone ran up the back of our rental car last week and my husband blew my mind by calling it the worst case scenario. It couldn’t have been much better really. We all walked away, we have travel insurance, we weren’t at fault, and best of all, my newly emerging pregnant belly stayed safely above seatbelt and away from steering wheel. I’m very thankful for that!
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I am thankful that we got sponsorship so that my boys can have another 12 months of one-on-one early intervention for their autism, no sponsorship, no EI
I am thankful that 2 of the “not nice” girls from my daughters class this year will not be in her class next year
i am thankful for the health of my kids…whilst we have our issues with the autism for the boys, we are not in a situation where they have had to have multiple operations, or will never walk, or will never be out of nappies, nor are they terminally ill. yes we have it tough but there are many out there who have been through much worse
i am thankful for my husband, i don’t know where i would be without him.
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I am thankful that on stinking hot days like today (in perth) I have unlimited access to cold, clean drinking water.
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My boxing trainer pushing and supporting me to get the best out of our sessions. Getting better every week!
My boyfriend putting up with my mood swings from PMS have been terrible this month.
The local shop for selling Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups! Thought I would never see them again after coming across them in Canada earlier this year. My only vice!
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I am forever and truly grateful to the 2 beautiful Egg Donors who helped my husband and I have 2 sunshiny, sparkly children. They are the centre of our universe and we love them so much.
These children make sense of the hellish and long infertility journey and our many soul destroying miscarriages. These children just feel like they were always destined to be mine and life without them is unimaginable.
So to my Donors, thank you from the bottomif my heart and soul.
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That is beautiful.
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After the morning I have had I am soooo thankful my toddler still has day sleeps!
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i’m thankful that although i’m in a job i don’t love, that i have one.
i’m thankful for my mama and dada for helping me with my dental work.
i’m thankful for my boyfriend who is sweet, kind, compassionate and caring. i’m thankful that i have a few truly great friends
i’m thankful to my sister for handing me down all her clothes (yes!)
i’m thankful that i live in a beautiful house with all the technology i could possibly want
and i’m thankful for the weather in Melbourne today which is beautiful!
http://www.xxxmissvxxx.wordpress.com
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I’ve never been to the US, but love the idea of Thanksgiving.
Today, I am thankful for my beautiful friends and family. Particularly looking forward to pizza and movies with a particularly special friend tonight.
And on a first world basis…. I am thankful for left over pad thai for lunch
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I am very thankful that the dressmaker managed to finish fixing my dress that I have to wear to a function tonight. Total first world problem but I’m going to Government House and want to look good!!
Now for the serious stuff…I am so thankful that my son has had the teacher he needed to have this year. We have also wondered what was going on with him (super smart in some ways, below average in others) and she has helped him and encouraged us to take the steps that we need to take. He is having a dyslexia screening test next week. Most of all I am just thankful that he is my boy, I love him so dearly.
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I love the idea that in the states they have a holiday period. An entire section of the yea,r thanksgiving, christmas etc. that is dedicated to getting together with those people that you love and having fun.
I am thankful for all the things that make up my life, hubby,kids,safe family home and the luxury of been able to afford to be at SAHM. I never thought I would be here but I’m glad things worked out this way.
After watching SBS last night “Worst place to be..” I am also thankful that we live in a country that is safe and our children can play and travel to school without the fear of been shot or seeing someone killed. It really was one of those eye opening moments of “my problems really aren’t that bad.”
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I lived in the US for 12 years and I miss Thanksgiving! Such a great holiday with NO PRESENTS! I’m thankful that my 15-month post-surgery MRI shows no sign of my brain tumour returning. And I’m thankful for my family and friends who love and support me.
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I don’t know you but I’m thankful that you had that result too. Yay for a positive MRI result for you!
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thanks bec! it is a massive relief.
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im thankful for my beautiful family, friends and my gorgeous husband and thankful for living in a gorgeous city in a beautiful peaceful part of the world and thankful that summer has arrived!!!
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I am thankful for all the little things that make me smile, no matter how small or silly they may seem.
I’m also thankful that it’s really hot in Perth today because I am just going to go and hang out at the beach all day!
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Thankful for my family and friends who nurture me, my job that stimulates me, my possessions which sustain me and the country that I live in that protects me.
Also thankful that cake exists. Because I bloody love it
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I want that on a bumper sticker, or t-shirt. That’s awesome. Well put Lana.
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I am thankful for my lovely husband. He waited patiently for me to return his call after 2 & 1/2 years…I don’t know what took me so long now! He’s my everything. And I get to show him the world starting with our honeymoon, his first overseas trip @ age 47. Can’t wait.
I am also thankful for my fabulous family and friends, I don’t know how I would get through it all without them.
And I am thankful for my awesome job! I love it!!
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I’m thankful for my husband.
I can trace every good thing in my life back to his love, support, and damn hard work.
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Thankful for my family, husband and two children, and nostalgically blogging about the fact that theyre no longer children (21st birthday and high school graduation).
For my friends and our girls weekend away. (also blogged delicious Moroccan chicken recipe from said weekend)
And for this season, I’m completley sentimental and unashamedly Christmassy.
http://yveblogs.wordpress.com
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It’s a stinking hot day in Perth today so I am very thankful for the air-conditioning at work and at home, and for my bath as well – there’s nothing like a cold bath when I get home from the gym all hot and sweaty.
I am also overwhelmed with love for my mum this week – my nan has been in hospital for two weeks after having a nasty fall at home (19 stitches to her head) and the doctors are refusing to let her go back to living by herself, which means going into a nursing home.
My mum and my aunty have exhausted themselves visiting nan, going to her house and cleaning, organising her things and so on, meeting with the doctors, and finding a care facility, on top of their normal lives.
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*27 is my favourite number and it has been my best year yet – moved to Melb, good job, great boyf, enough $$ for more than the basics.
* modern technology – helping me to keep in contact with those that I love
* my Mama – she’s pretty awesome & she’s coming to visit for birthday 28 in 3 weeks!!
* my amazeballs friends
* 4 great friends I know are going to be in Melb over the Xmas/NY period so it’s going to be great
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I’m thankful for:
- being B’s Mummy
- having a Husband
- 2 awesome dogs
- chocolate for breakfast {makes a sore throat fun}
- old school Disney movies. I love to watch Cinderella, Mary Poppins and Snow White when I’m sad.
- having enough money. I used to complain that we never had enough but I reason that, after all the bills are paid, you still have all your free money for the month and are able to pay a random $300 to something you’re doing okay.
- I am thankful for perspective
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This morning, and yesterday morning, I was VERY thankful that my housemate gave me a lift to the bustop. I was sure to be a wrinkled sodden prune had I walked the 10 minutes in the torrential Sydney rain otherwise… (Already my hair is curling in directions that seem to contradict gravity!).
Horizontal rain 1, umbrella 0!
On a serious note – I’m thankful for the people in my life. I have an amazing family I get along with. A gorgeous little niece through surrogacy and a little brother to follow “naturally” after my sister was told she couldn’t have kids.
A boyfriend who is more than I could have ever have asked or dreamed for (I was single for 28 years, so excuse my smugness).
Generous, caring and simply hilarious friends I’ve had for years and years.
And that life generally, simply seems to surprise me and continues to get better at the moment.
Great post and idea Bec!