Thursday, November 22, 2018

Gratitude!



Gratitude ~ the quality of being thankful; 
the readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

Welcome Friends!
~ Thanksgiving Wishes From Our Home to Yours ~

I pulled this post out of the archives, edited it to update it since it was first published five years ago. Regardless, the message rings true at any moment in time, and is sincerely felt by yours truly.

As is tradition, we host a Thanksgiving meal 
here in our home with friends who join us to celebrate.

Plans for this year's Thanksgiving meal kept changing.
Utlimately we decided not to cook, but rather have it catered.  There will only be five of us, but a traditional meal it will be.

The weather in recent weeks has given me
cause to be grateful for a perfect Autumn with 
sunny skies and crisp cool days.

Just enough chill in the air to cozy
up by a fire with hot tea
in the late afternoon.

~ Autumn ~
A time to savor and appreciate the 
rich spectrum of seasonal colors    .   .   .

To relish morning walks along a creekside 
as water flows from recent rains   .   .   .

To bask in the beauty of Mother Nature's
change in the seasons   .   .   .

To huddle in the warmth of a favorite sweater
and snuggle up with out sweet Sadie girl   .   .   .

To reflect on the gratitude one feels for   
the many blessings of our lives.

For our blessings  
are plentiful!

We've abundant  
food on our table   .   .   .


A warm home to
shelter us day and night   .   .   .

And beauty can be found
all around us.

I'm especially grateful for the good health and love
of my wonderful family and friends,
and for each of you who visit and comment here at
Hyacinths for the Soul.

It has been five years since my final
good-byes to several women close to my heart.

At times sadness still rushes over me, but even with death, we can
choose to be grateful. I choose to cherish each special memory,
to honor these amazing women and feel grateful for the beautiful
 life each led, the incredible legacy each left behind, and
especially so for the love and friendship we shared.


"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it 
is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
                                              William Arthur Ward


Research shows it is helpful and important to make 
an ongoing list of the things for which one is grateful.


On this Day of Thanksgiving, I thank you 
for allowing me to share a grateful heart.


"Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way."
                                                              Native American Saying

19 comments:

  1. Happy Thanksgiving:) Your warmth is evident in all you say and do:) Your body language says it all♥

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is almost an unbearably beautiful post, Sarah -- in image and in sentiment. Beautiful thoughts that tell me you know the real meaning of Thanksgiving. I wish you a lovely day with those you love, cherish and with whom you share many joyful memories.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sarah,
    Thank you for reminding me to reflect with gratitude all the blessings in my life. The resident Chef must have felt some gratitude for the catered Thanksgiving meal. ��I count you among my blessings and am grateful for your friendship.

    Judith

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sarah, you have expressed your gratitude so beautifully in this heartfelt post. It is so important to never take for granted all of our loved ones and the little things of daily life that are truly so important! My heart is full for my many blessings. Sarah, I certainly count you among those blessings my sweet friend..........

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sarah, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Gratitude really is what it's all about. There are times that I feel a little blue too and I try to just stop in my tracks and start counting my blessings. It really does usually work. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you Sarah, for all the beautiful eye candy and especially the reminders to be grateful...life is much easier to navigate with a grateful heart ❤️ ...you truly are such a special person and sweet friend!
    Jenna

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dearest Sarah,
    This beautiful post of Gratitude is timeless indeed!
    Thanks for sharing it again.
    We are very grateful for another Thanksgiving amidst Friends. No family here on this side of the Ocean but sweet Extended Family.
    Grateful for God's grace in keeping my Pieter alive.
    Also for completing a lot of renovations over the past four weeks.
    Now I'm finishing the final scanning of my letters, Mom's and others by filing them away by date. They sure are soothing treasures and that's how we keep our loved ones alive.
    I feel blessed for being an immigrant as that is the reason to have those precious letters!
    Hugs.
    Mariette

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sarah, I loved your gratitude post. I am late reading it because I have had my family visiting for four days.
    Such lovely sentiments and beautiful images. Warmed my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful post Sarah, so heartfelt. Gratittude is so important and showing it is very special. Love your beautiful vignettes. Here's to a happy and merry Christmas. xo

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sarah, what a beautiful home and great encouragement to be thankful and grateful! Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving this year, Sarah. Your home is beautiful. I am especially taken with the tea scene by the fire - it's the perfect weather for that here just now. Have a wonderful week. Gratitude is never out of season!

    ReplyDelete
  12. That last quote is perfect! Your post is so thoughtful...feels me with joy! Have a wonderful week my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful & colourful post. Being thankful and appreciate others is so important. Happy MM.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sarah - it does not surprise me that research shows the benefits of listing/being aware of our blessings. I keep a running list of things/people for which/whom I am grateful - it offers great perspective on a day when things may not be going how I would like. Thanks for showing us your many beautiful blessings, and I am thankful that you joined Mosaic Monday this week!

    ReplyDelete
  15. You have a beautiful home and decorations. I especially miss my mom and dad at this time of year. The holiday season was a big part of our family traditions and they were the core of this time of year. - Margy

    ReplyDelete
  16. Such a beautiful post and heartfelt sentiments Sarah. I always enjoy seeing the cozy touches and collections in your home. I'm thankful to have you as a friend. Doggie kisses to sweet Sadie and well wishes to the Chef. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  17. Now it’s time for reading... MosaicMonday times! Each Monday a great pleasure.
    I enjoyed your post. Your home is cozy and the fireplace amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sarah, Practicing gratitude makes our lives better. Thanks for a great post. Have a great week. Sylvia D.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful post Sarah!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete

Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.