Blessings

Holiday greetings!

We sat at the dinner table a few nights ago, my family and I, and had our usual dinner conversation. You know the conversation: what did you do today, what was the best part of your day.. Then we shifted the conversation to New Years Eve. We talked about what we would like to do. For us it always comes back to family. Call us simple, we just like being with our family to welcome in the New Year. It's become a tradition we enjoy.

We cast our thoughts back to the year that is slowly becoming behind us. We gazed on the thoughts of what were our greatest joys this year. The kids piped up with offerings such as "we got Jack" (our lovely yellow lab puppy), "going to Florida", "coming home from Florida to see Jack" and more. We remembered big events - snorkeling with the stingrays in the Caribbean, having a birthday party for my in-laws, going to a cottage with friends, taking the train out west. We talked about our blessings, the things in our lives that truly bless us.

We found ourselves being thankful for the simple things. The peacefulness of all being together watching a movie in our family room, the love that fills our home, the family that surrounds us, being able to give and share. Even in the more turbulent times we always know where home is. We know where we are safe, and where the love is.

So I encourage you - tonight at dinner embark on a reflective, joyful conversation with your family. Ask and become aware of the joys and blessings each of you has experienced in the year 2004. You may even choose to write them down and keep them as a sort of thankfulness diary of the year.

We are often encouraged to have an 'attitude of gratitude'. It's a good one. Be thankful. Be aware of your blessings. Let those memories be strong in your heart for always.

Anne Rose
December 2004