As Thanksgiving dawns for our American friends, I’ve just put my little half American Love Bug to bed. We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner together. Minus the Thanksgiving food and with a super side-dish of gratitude. Actually, the gratitude was more like the main meal.

Being thankful. Practising gratitude. These are not once a year things for us. It’s something I’ve encouraged Love Bug to do always. We try to appreciate at least one new thing each day. Big things and small things.

Tonight she told me she was thankful for having me as her mumma; for Bella and Beary; for our family; for her friends; for doing gymnastics and swimming on the weekend; for Muttsy and having her Aunty Shannon who had loved Muttsy when she was a little girl and then gave him to her when she realised how much Love Bug adored him; and for me tickling her back when I put her to bed each night.

 

As for me? The current state of the world isn’t super conducive to the gratitude big picture. But there is a LOT to be thankful for.

I’m thankful that I live in an age I was able to fulfil my wish to become a mumma on my own by choice. I’m thankful for my divine daughter. I’m thankful for another year with my precious fuzzy loves. Bella’s health issues had me worried for a minute {or a million} so the sprouting of each new grey fur on her snout is cause for celebration and gratitude. I’m incredibly thankful for my family.

I’m thankful that I have a job, a roof over our heads and food to eat. I’m thankful there is peace in the land we live.

I’m thankful that I was reminded what it’s like to date someone who I am meaningfully connected to. To have a colony of butterflies in my tummy and to feel wanted and cared for. To look forward to my phone ringing or letting me know there was a message.

I’m thankful that I have friends, conversation, music and sunshine in my life. And wine.

And I’m thankful for you. For those of you who have been with us from the beginning, and those who have only joined our journey recently. Thank you for visiting. I am grateful for every time you do.