I keep thinking about what I want to say for this, a post of thanksgiving, and I am struggling to find the words. I usually keep my personal life and my blog life quite separate, writing only about the things here that inspire me and feed my creative spirit.
Giving thanks for such things is easy. I feel blessed to live in a beautiful part of the world, to have friends and family in abundance, to have food in my cupboards, and to have a roof over my head. For these and so many other blessings I am grateful beyond measure. I can blurt out my thanks without thought or hesitation.
There is something else I am grateful for, though, and it is harder to express.
This year has been a difficult one for me and for some of the people I love most. Truly, it has been a year that has sometimes felt like it was endured more than lived. That's probably not a good thing to say aloud in the land of lifestyle blogs, where things tend to feel rather nicely tied up with candy-striped baker's twine. Nothing in life has felt nicely tied. All has been at loose ends.
The ends are still loose, and even a bit frayed at the moment, but that's just it--I don't care. I am grateful for this truly horrible year.
I am grateful for what it has taught me about empathy, about love, about holding on tight with both hands, and about letting go, too.
I am grateful for what it has forced me to face and for what it has forced me to feel. I am grateful that I've had the chance to learn very difficult lessons from someone much wiser than myself--and to learn them in the most loving and supportive of ways.
I'm also grateful that even on the most wretched of days, there is always room in my heart for a walk through fields and woods. Yes, I am truly blessed.
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Oh Gigi - if you only knew how much this post resonates with me. It has been one crazy difficult year for my family, but like you said I too am grateful for all the lessons learned and the fact that we're all still standing. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving. I feel so blessed to have met you thru this blog. I'm always reading, I may not comment all the time but I'm still here enjoying your beautiful words and photos! Love and hugs sweet friend! Xxoo
ReplyDeleteThank you so, so much, Cathi! You are one of my oldest and dearest blogging friends, and I love that we stay in touch through other social media these days in the midst of our busy lives. I'm sorry that it has been such a tough year for you and your family. You are such a strong and caring person, and I feel blessed to know you, too. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend! xoxo
DeleteWhat a beautiful post. And an inspirational post! This is life! I am old! And life is just as you describe beautifully......and there is such great beauty and joy in gratitude!
DeleteA lovely post....and thank you!!!
It makes us all think! There is so much to be grateful for....and we need to find it....!!!!
Thank you, Penelope! I'm really glad the post inspired you. I do feel like actively seeking moments of gratitude--even at the darkest times--creates joy. I don't mean happiness, as I think that's fleeting, and no one can be happy all the time, but joy is something deeper, something more integral. We weave it through our lives like a silver thread. xo
DeleteTruly a lot of things to be grateful for.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, Loree! xo
DeleteGratitude has been sitting with me just lately and your words fit so well with where my mind is these days. Thank you for sharing you and a sometime "wretched" days. Life isn't always a bed of roses, but it does help to sniff the roses sometimes just to remind us of the beauty in amongst the difficult times. Sending you a hug.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marilyn, and sending a hug right back your way. Hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving.
DeleteA friend's friend sent this to her, she sent this to me, because she knows the year has been a hard one. Thank you for writing this. Hard years are learning years.
ReplyDeleteYes, they definitely are, Dixie. Thanks so much for your comment, and I hope 2015 is a much better year for you.
DeleteSuch lush images of this special place you call home. I truly hope this coming year will be easier and joy will find it's way in as you walk the woods. We all do have much to be thankful for, I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving day with your family.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving, Susan. Thanks for your lovely comment. I think walking the woods and fields is one of the surest ways to find joy, no matter what else is happening in life. xo
DeleteSending you love, too, Robin. I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful, my friend! xo
ReplyDeleteWonderful post and lovely photos. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely comment and for stopping by, Linda!
DeleteDear friend, this brings tears to my eyes and gratitude to my heart. You are an amazing woman! Big love to you, Gigi.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, my wise and beautiful friend. Big love right back to you, Marlowe. xo
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