As the leaves slowly change color and fall to the ground, the thoughts of turkey and long road trips to see family are on the minds of many. However, as the name itself suggests, THANKSgiving is meant as a time to stop and reflect on what we are thankful for.
The history of the Thanksgiving holiday in Canada can be traced as far back as 1578 which I’m sure right there makes most people thankful that in this day and age we can go to the local grocery store and pick up our turkey as opposed to going ‘out back’ and hunting one down. It officially became a recognized national holiday in 1879 and since then has come to include delicious food, parades and football.
We live in a society of building relationships and networking which makes for a busy existence to say the least. So, it was time to check in with some Chestermere residents and hear what they are thankful for as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.
“Every day you must stop and be thankful because there is always something to be thankful for. I am thankful that I am surrounded by supportive friends and family. I am thankful that I have two amazing children transitioning into amazing young adults. I am thankful that I have been married for over 17 years (to the same guy) and we still love each other. I am thankful that I can run a business in a small town that I am thankful to live in. I am thankful that I have my health and I am thankful that it has been sunny almost every day this fall! I am thankful for the big things and the small things. I am thankful that I can have a grande soy latte almost every day. And I am thankful for my hardships because they teach me valuable lessons, they help me grow, they help me forgive and because they lead me to more things to be thankful for. “– Jody Nakoneshny.
“I am grateful for the opportunities that this great country has offered me and my family since we arrived from England 21 years ago. The huge amount of truly great people I have been privileged to meet over the years who have enriched my life. My family both in Canada and in England. The support of people around me when things don’t always go as planned. Being able to give back to the community. Being married to the person I’m married to. The support and encouragement of friends which enabled Chestermere Therapy Dogs to do the work it’s doing in the community. Having dogs in my life: Finn, therapy dogs and service dogs” – Steve King
“I am thankful for the morning, for in the morning I get to experience all the blessings in my life again, and am grateful for there are many, and for that I am Thankful.” – Amanda Alexov.
“I am thankful for God, my mom and my family because they take care of me and love me – even when I do bad things. I am thankful for our house, for my dad’s knee getting better, my super fun backyard and my sisters”, Anna Massig age 7.
“I am so thankful that I chose to be a teacher and get to spend every day with so many lovely children”. – Marilyn King – Teacher/Owner of Little Acorns Preschool
“Short answer, I am thankful for the food on my table and the opportunities that my husband and I have been blessed with to provide for our family. Long answer, as I sat at my computer trying to come up with some clever and heartfelt message about what I was thankful for, I heard a ping, then saw the message, “You have one new email”. I didn’t want to be cliché and just say “family, healthy kids, a roof over my head”. I was stumped!! Aside from all of the clichés, I really didn’t know what to write!! Then I checked the email I received. It was from the Calgary Food Bank, requesting additional donations of food and money for the Thanksgiving holiday. As a fundraiser, I appreciate that any good request for support includes a story. This one was about a mother who has used the food bank for her family’s Thanksgiving meal in the past, but is now on her own two feet again and will be a donor rather than a recipient this year. As I imagined how that mom would feel feeding her kids ramen noodles and frozen peas for Thanksgiving and having to explain why they didn’t have a turkey. My gratitude for a roof over my head and food on my table didn’t seem so cliché. My children also had their things they are thankful for – Sam (age 5) I am thankful for mom, dad, my sister Ali and my teacher Mrs. Napier because she is nice and teaches me things. Alexandra (age 2) – I am thankful for my owl
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
