It’s nearing the end of American Thanksgiving, as we call it here in Canada (at home, of course, it’s just Thanksgiving, but that day happened here over a month ago… let’s leave it at that). Rather than making my usual trek to Southern California, I’m in Vancouver this year for what’s decidedly a non-holiday day. I spent it as I might spend any other Thursday, with a bit of work, a couple of meetings, you know, the usual stuff of everyday life. And yet, at about 4:30 this afternoon, I felt compelled to stopped by Hamburger Mary’s on Davie Street with my American pal Leslie for a hot turkey dinner, complete with mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and a double helping of cranberry sauce. It was an extraordinary feast. You can take the girl out of America…

I know I’ve written about gratitude before – heck, I have a whole “category” of posts on this blog with that theme, and many have been written on Thanksgivings past. And in those posts, I’m sure I’ve noted that one of the most important practices I’ve picked up along the way, one that always, without fail, makes me feel good, is remembering all of the things I am thankful for. It was a tradition at the Thanksgiving dinners I grew up with – for each of us around the table to say something that they were thankful for. And there are so many things.

I’m thankful for my health, and the health of my family.

I’m thankful for my relationships, for close ties with my family and the amazing support I receive from them.

I’m thankful for the beautiful home that I live in with my beautiful partner.

I’m thankful for my friends.

I’m thankful that even though I can’t pick them off the tree in my backyard anymore, I can still buy lemons.

I’m thankful for fall in my neighbo(u)rhood.

I’m thankful for Earnest Ice Cream.

I’m thankful for my weekly singing group.

I’m thankful that Vision Vancouver still has a majority at City Hall.

I’m thankful for the protesters who are up on Burnaby Mountain, standing up to Kinder Morgan.

I’m thankful for the cat that’s sleeping on my lap.

I’m thankful for all of the trips I took this year to visit family and friends.

I’m thankful for all of the family and friends who took trips to visit me this year (and there were a lot of you!).

I’m thankful for beautiful mountain lakes within a couple hours drive of my house.

I’m thankful for breakfast burritos.

I’m thankful for great cinema.

I’m thankful for brilliant sunshine on a freezing cold day.

I’m thankful for brilliantly written novels.

I’m thankful for full moons over False Creek.

I’m thankful for Solly’s cinnamon buns (almost) every Friday after morning yoga.

I’m thankful for my sense of humo(u)r.

I’m thankful for Pride marches featuring proud Mounties.

I’m thankful for the Folk Fest (and babies wearing headphones who take selfies).

And I’m thankful that I wasn’t responsible for making this sign.

There’s more, of course, but most of all, I’m thankful for this life, and my intention is to make the most of it, every single day.

With love and peace and gratitude.