So Much to Be Thankful For
There are so many things that come to mind when I say, I’m thankful for …
- My Mom living with us
- My son happy at school
- Our cozy home
- My brothers and their families thriving
- A giving community
One Week of Gratefulness
Just think about the last seven days and what has happened in your life.
After almost two years of not seeing her because of Covid, our Punny (Punkin’ is her nickname, short for Nancy!), our Grandma from Louisiana, arrived Friday!
The joy of being together again permeated from the text and photo I got from the airport!
Back at home, another kind of joy, my little guy scurrying to finish the Christmas village for their arrival. (His love of all things decorating for Christmas is something that makes me feel so much gratitude!)
The Next Day
I’ve always been someone who loves to volunteer – especially when it’s hands on.
One of my favorite groups that I served with was Burlington Sunrise Rotary. I saw my co-worker at WCAX-TV posting all kinds of fun volunteer projects and I pulled her aside one day to find out more. That’s how I became a member, and ultimately, served as President.
When he was a baby, my little guy sometimes “attended” meetings and he was always on my back in a carrier for our volunteer projects!
I want to raise a child who volunteers. I’m so grateful for a teacher, Liz Heath, who is inspiring kids to serve their community.
Her cans across the park was a wonderful success. My little guy was excited to see all the collected cans lined up, then help pack them up in a truck and head to the food shelf to unload them. Volunteering for ‘Cans Across the Park’ was a gift for our family.
The only way that we can raise good citizens is to show them how to be good citizens.
Julie Kelley, Founder Truly Jude
Family Hike at Dog Mountain
Bucket List Adventure to Vermont Country Store
My Mother-in-Law has always wanted to go to The Vermont Country Store in Weston. My husband’s Aunt Sue was an avid catalogue shopper, so “Vermont” has been in their lives longer than this “Vermont Girl” has been!
We had a ball!
It was a two hour drive through winding roads, along rivers and through small towns … to one of Vermont’s storied attractions. She came for a mop head (yup, you heard me right!), but left with many other treasures.
For me, the best treasure was having a day of fun and laughter and time together!
Our Favorite Museum
My little guy is a nature buff – he loves being in nature and learning about it. The Fairbanks Museum is a favorite spot and he could not miss showing his Punny around!
The Great Christmas Tree Hunt
So, there I was with our 83-year-old Punny pulling on a tree …. as my husband sawed it from the ground!
We bundled her up and found the perfect Christmas tree.
As you can tell from the pictures, it was the perfect day to bring a Southerner to cut down a tree – more Hallmark Movie setting (minus beautiful flurries!) versus what it normally looks like!
Gratitude for Sharing Traditions
We spent last night decorating cookies. It’s been a tradition in my family since – well, let’s just say I can’t remember not doing it. At the same time, the waft of Cabot Cheddar was coming from the oven – my husband and his Mom were baking cheese straws, a family tradition from his childhood.
And the List Goes On …
- Long talks at the kitchen table
- Sharing tea after a cold walk
- Exploring the antique store downtown
- Coffee stops … lots of them!
I pray that as you wake up this morning and start your Thanksgiving Day, that you too feel gratitude for what is right before you.
Happy Thanksgiving friends and thank you for sharing this space with me!
Please share what you’re grateful for in the comments section.
Truly,
Julie
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I am grateful for so much. My family, my job, my health and just being. We have so many wieghts from the world on us, we need to remember that we have so much.
Good morning Cindy and thank you! You are so right … the world feels heavy and this is a good way to refocus away from all the worries for a moment (and hopefully more!)/