Thanksgiving Blessings ~ Ruthie L Manier

 

Finding Gratitude in a Year of Change:  As the crisp air of November settles in and Thanksgiving approaches, many of us pause to reflect on the past year and count our blessings. For my family, this year has brought its share of loss and heartache, making gratitude feel a little harder to grasp. Yet, in the midst of sorrow, I’ve found comfort and joy in cherishing the good times we’ve shared together. Today, I choose to focus on those moments that filled my heart and brought smiles to our faces.

Time with Family: The Greatest Gift This year, both my mom and sister retired, and their newfound free time has become an unexpected blessing. We finally have the chance to spend more meaningful moments together, sharing stories, laughter, and the everyday joys that come with being close. After so many years of busy schedules, just being able to sit together has become a treasure I never want to take for granted.

Adventures with My Children: My children truly spoiled me this year, surprising me with tickets for visits and adventures that I’ll never forget. Holly took me to see the majestic Niagara Falls and made sure our experience was unforgettable by treating us to a tour on the famous Maid of the Mist. Standing beside her and the kids in front of the roaring falls, I felt overwhelmed by the beauty and the love that surrounded me. We also visited the peaceful shores of Ontario Lake, soaking in the calm and the laughter of those moments together.

Grand Canyon Memories with Jon Kyle: My son, Jon Kyle, and his family invited me to join them for a few days exploring the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. We started our adventure by riding the train from our hotel in Williams, Arizona, where we were greeted by wild Mavericks running alongside the tracks and the delight of a pretend train robbery — a fun surprise that made us all laugh. On the way back, they took me through Sedona, Arizona, with its breathtaking red rocks and serene landscapes. The beauty of Sedona captured my heart, and I hope to return one day to experience it all over again.

Holding Onto Thankfulness: This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the precious time spent with my loved ones, for adventures that brought new memories, and for the simple moments of joy that helped heal our hearts. While this year has tested our resilience, it’s also reminded me to cherish the people and experiences that make life beautiful. As I look forward to gathering around the table, sharing stories and laughter, I am grateful for the blessings that shine through even in difficult times. Wishing everyone a Thanksgiving filled with love, connection, and gratitude. May we all find moments to celebrate, no matter what this year has brought.

Memories That Last Like Horehound Candy By Deborah Camp

Will the youngsters I know today have rich, heart-tugging memories of their Christmases past? I wonder.

Personally, the holiday memory clearest in my mind is when my parents illustrated that asking for a wristwatch at Christmas was a bit extravagant on my part. “Watches are expensive,” they told me, numerous times.

On Christmas I could hardly wait to open a long, rectangle box, knowing that it would be my very first wristwatch. Inside was a watch band. No watch. Just the band. Mother explained, “Maybe we can afford the watch next year. For now, we got you a band.”

Being a brave soldier, I held back tears, nodded, and told them I understood. Suddenly, Daddy said, “Okay, we’ve teased her enough.” Then he presented another wrapped gift. Inside this one was the watch that went with the band. I broke out in happy sobs. It was their way of teasing and teaching. They were making sure I treasured that watch because it was more money than they’d anticipated spending. I had that watch for years and years; lesson learned.

My parents told me of their treasured gifts as children, so vastly different from mine. An orange or apple along with a few pecans and a stick of horehound candy stuck into a sock – this was what delighted them and fueled their Christmas memories.

So, what memories will the youngsters I know have on which to reflect? Ski trips to luxury resorts where the room service was sub-standard? Only a dozen presents under the tree this year when last year they counted 15? When they had to spend the entire Christmas Day with their family instead of at the movies or mall with their friends?

A couple of years ago, I helped dish out turkey and dressing to the homeless on Thanksgiving Day and I had my eyes opened to how many children wander the streets with their moms and dads. Their Christmas memories align more closely with those of my parents. I saw their eyes light up when I mounded food onto their plates and I wondered if that same expression of wonder and gratitude could be witnessed on other children’s faces when they opened the tenth or eleventh gift on Christmas? I doubt it. Seriously, doubt it. Most of those gifts would be appreciated briefly and quickly forgotten.

Not like that stick of horehound candy received by my mother and father way back when. That stick cost a whole penny and it lasted for days – weeks! A penny well earned, well spent, and well appreciated. Plus, a memory to be passed down like a family heirloom that grows more valuable with time.

Deborah’s latest western romance is SOLITARY HORSEMAN, available on Amazon. You can find a complete list of her novels on her website, www.deborah-camp.com.

***Solitary Horseman is available for purchase at Amazon:

www.amazon.com/dp/B01HFCC2UQ

A Little More About Me

Most of you know I’m originally from upstate New York. I have one sister and two brothers. They reside in or near my hometown of Schenectady. I’m close with my sister. She and I keep in touch thru email and Facebook, plus she critiques my work. Sandy has two sons. The oldest is in college and the youngest just graduated high school. He will begin college this fall, earning a degree in culinary arts.

Rick, Sandy, Joe and me 1986

My brother, Joe, has one daughter who is in nursing school, and my brother, Rick has two sons. Devin is 22. Last time we visited the family, he drove me to Starbucks, which I laugh about because it seems like yesterday when he was a toddler splashing in the kiddie pool on the patio with my dog, Rip. His brother will begin preschool this fall and looks exactly like Devin. Being two thousand miles away, I miss my family. When we do get back to New York every couple of years, I enjoy catching up with everyone and seeing how much the kids have grown.

kiddo, Mom, Dad, Devin

My parents are the glue to the family, with mom keeping us sane. There isn’t anything they wouldn’t do for us, or us for them. One of my fondest memories is the blizzard of ’93. The hubs was stationed in Greenland and my Dad was celebrating his 50^th Birthday. With the dog, I made the drive from McGuire AFB to New York for Dad’s party. Getting there wasn’t a problem. It was after the party that the blizzard struck. I had to get back to Jersey, so Dad drove me and the dog home. About five miles from the base, I thought were we going to get set stuck in the middle of the road. The snow was high and visibility was terrible, but somehow Dad plowed through and got us to the base. He stayed until Monday and took the bus back to New York, after the highways had been cleared. It was quite an adventure and one I’ll never forget.

Seaside Heights, NJ

While the hubs and I were in New Jersey, we often went to the beach. There’s something soothing about walking the boardwalk in the salt air sipping on a lemonade. I’m not much of a lemonade fan, except for when at the beach. Seaside Heights was a favorite since it was close to the base, but so was Atlantic City. And New York City. Often we’d drive up to NYC, spend time with Gram and shop in Manhattan, take in a Broadway show or admire the stores and Rockefeller Center decorated for Christmas. About four years ago, we were finally able to take the kiddo to NYC and he loved it, especially the pizza! He didn’t get to see everything so we’ll have to take him back again in another year or two.

From New Jersey we went to Colorado, then to Virginia and retired back to Colorado. More on those travels at a later date. For now, I’ll leave you with some fun facts about me.

Favorite song: Amarillo By Morning by George Strait

Favorite books: Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey and Double Standards by Judith McNaught

Favorite drink: iced tea

Favorite food: Italian

Favorite plant: Sage

Favorite flower: Lily

Favorite actor & actress: John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara

Favorite movie: McClintock, White Christmas

Favorite place: New York City