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Since I normally post on Mondays and Fridays, I’m going to miss Thanksgiving Day, therefore I thought I’d share my gratitude post today.

Like most people, I sometimes tend to get wrapped up in my daily life; overlooking the blessings that are directly in front of me, but somehow don’t always see.

I can be very self-absorbed at times, and bitch and moan about the most ridiculous things.

Why is it that it often takes a challenging life-altering experience to cause you to notice all the good you have in your life?

Well, I guess that’s why they’re called life-altering, because they ultimately seem to sober you into prioritizing what is really important and what is not.

Last week, my good friend Jimmy, shared an enlightening post about being grateful for even our challenging experiences, because they are an invaluable teaching tool.

And he’s right.

I mean think back to some of the really challenging times in your life, times when it was so dark you didn’t think you'd ever find the light. Times when you were afraid, confused, lost, and felt extremely vulnerable and small.

And I can almost bet that when you now look back at those times, you see them as some of the best experiences in your life, because they molded you into the person you are today.

There is great power in feeling small.

With each challenge, as difficult as they were, gave you wisdom and strength.

Wisdom to notice the things you overlooked as blessings.

And strength to embrace and grow for future challenges.

Life is not always smooth and easy sailing. But that doesn’t mean these experiences are negative.

On the contrary, they are actually great blessings in disguise.

So, today I would like to give thanks for the challenges I’ve had in my life.

For without them, I would never know gratitude.......



I would also like to take this time to thank each and everyone of you for being a HUGE part of my life.

For all that you share……I am grateful.



Happy Thanksgiving Day Everyone!

X

58 comments:

  1. i agree. sometimes we are so very caught up in the emotions we forgot to be thankful. thankful for being able to feel n experience these emotions n situations. someone once told me, respond but not react whenever things go wrong, for there is definitely a reason why things happen.

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  2. Greetings Levain~

    You're so right!...we get caught up in the emotions, we forget to be thankful.

    "someone once told me, respond but not react whenever things go wrong, for there is definitely a reason why things happen."

    Brava! I so agree, there is definitely a reason WHY things happen.

    Thank you for stopping by and sharing your comment. Much appreciated!

    Enjoy your day!

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  3. "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." -Neitzsche

    I totally, 100% agree. There have been times in my life when I thought that it couldn't get any worse. Regardless if it was about relationships, jobs or family, I thought that those tough times were the going to be impossible to work through. But you know what? They did, in fact, help shape me into the person I am today. I'm grateful for those trying times, and wouldn't change them for the world.

    And, on a personal note, if I don't see another post from you this week, let me wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! Glad to count you among my blogging friends! Have a great one, Ron. You deserve it!

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  4. Ohhhh RON!!

    I always get all chocked up when I read such beautiful and reflective things as this post! It's all so true and in life, there are so many hurdles to jump over that sometimes we get so entangled with all of that that we cannot see the good- or how wonderful life really is...
    Thank you for pointing us all in the right direction today and I will try to keep this in my mind whenever I am up against some of life's tough times...
    It's a great feeling to be 'thankful' for what we have to to always appreciate things- even the smallest things in life...
    I caught myself taking something for granted twice- yesterday and today and I stopped at once to remind myself that I have sooo much to be grateful for... It's so true.. I feel really blessed!
    A VERYYYYY Happy Thanksgiving to you dear friend, I'm thankful to have you and your blog in my life... I am very thankful for my lovely friends and family!
    and a Happy Thanksgiving to all your lovely readers, too!
    Take care and have a great week...
    Leesa

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  5. Being Reiki I repeat the Precepts every day and of course as you know one of them is

    "Just for today I will be thankful for my many blessings"

    this does help me to remember how lucky I really am, even when things aren't going too well.

    It's good to be alive.

    I'm happy to be counted as a friend by you Ron. x

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  6. I'm at one of those crossroads when looking back is comforting and looking ahead is frightening as all get out. Which way to go, where to head next--what if I choose wrongly. Yes, I know, there's no 'wrong' choice, just a different path and another adventure/challenge.

    I know what you say is true. Experientially I know it, not just intellectually....I'm an experiential kinda gal. That's not making the challenge less frightening, less consuming (obviously....). And I know the answer is 'faith'--I've pulled out the necklace to wear, since I seemed to be lacking it and I obviously needed the reminder.

    I'll find gratitude for the current challenge. And no decision is a decision.....the 'pause, buy time, do what's in front of you' is a decision. See where the road takes me isn't a 'bad' course of action. Just a scary one. And I'm never alone. I've got lots of great people (you included) taking the journey with me.

    For that, I'm hugely grateful.

    ((((((((((((( Ron ))))))))))))))))

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  7. Good morning Ronnie,

    I hug you back for I am very greateful to have you as a friend ((((((Ronnie))))))

    It takes courage and yes, a dose of maturity, to admit to bitching about things instead of appreciating them.

    We have all been in the dark. I STILL am, but I remember the first months after my FIL's passing. There I was each day with so many things to do.As small as I feel, I there is work to be done.

    It is not over... I can feel like steel one day and the next be feeling going through my loss.I know that when I do have to cry, I let myself go.

    Count your blessings too, my friend.
    Hoping that you will not be alone on Thanksgiving. It is the day when we must open our arms and our hearts.

    See ya soon, dude
    xo

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  8. Thanks you for this lovely heartfelt post. Yes, challenges indeed do shape us into who we are and make us grateful for our many blessings.

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  9. 'because they molded you into the person you are today.'

    How true, Ron. Now that I have a few years under my belt I can look back and appreciate... and do. There were one or two moments when I floundered in dark water but I lived to tell the tale and KNOW that they made me what I am today: beautiful, sexy, and rich. Heehee, seriously... I developed some kind of wisdom that has people calling on me for answers to their dark problems. I never tell themn a thing, just let them work it out for themselves. I'm rotten like that. Forgive me, I don't intend to sound flippant, it just slips out. Anyway, before I lose the point altogether, let me say that:

    'I would also like to take this time to thank each and everyone of you for being a HUGE part of my life.'

    The same applies t'other way round. You're a great bloke and I'm so pleased to have made your acquaintance. Hugs from me.

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  10. Excellent post, Ron. It's certainly making me look at the challenges in my life. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  11. Good Morning Herman~

    "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." -Neitzsche

    Thank you so much for sharing that, bud.

    Yes, absolutely!

    "I'm grateful for those trying times, and wouldn't change them for the world."

    You said it! And isn't it amazing that while going through those times, we think we'll never survive? And yet, we do. And remember them as some of the BEST times.

    Yes, I will be posting my normally scheduled post on Friday, however I didn't wanna miss saying thank you before Thursday.

    And ditto to you, Herman....SO glad to count you among my blogging friends!

    Thank you for stopping by!

    X to you, Karin, and Tyler!

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  12. Bonjour Leesa~

    "there are so many hurdles to jump over that sometimes we get so entangled with all of that that we cannot see the good- or how wonderful life really is..."

    Yes, and I do the same thing at times.

    "It's a great feeling to be 'thankful' for what we have to to always appreciate things- even the smallest things in life..."

    You said it! And isn't it something how the smallest things in our life are actually the BIGGEST things? Simple things, yet important ones.

    I often catch myself taking something for granted too!

    And a VERYYYYYYYYY Happy Thanksgiving to you too, dear friend! Soooooooooooo blessed to have met you!

    Thanks for stopping by! Have a great Monday and a great week!

    ((( Leesa )))

    X

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  13. Good Morning Akelamalu~

    "Just for today I will be thankful for my many blessings."

    "this does help me to remember how lucky I really am, even when things aren't going too well."

    ((( Akelamalu )))

    Yup, and I truly think that if it wasn't for Reiki, I wouldn't have the ability to 'see' things in certain ways.

    "It's good to be alive."

    Thank you m'dear, for being one of my longest and loyal blogging friends. I am sooooooooooo blessed to have met you!

    Happy Monday! Thank you for stopping by.

    X

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  14. the photos beautifully illustrate your words

    lovely Thanksgiving post

    I'm thankful for you - you make me laugh, you make me feel appreciated, you make me feel brilliant with each comment to everything I post

    Hope sends hugs
    and so do I

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  15. Gooood Morning Mel~

    "Which way to go, where to head next--what if I choose wrongly. Yes, I know, there's no 'wrong' choice, just a different path and another adventure/challenge."

    Oh Mel, you and I are sooooooooooo much alike. I ask that same question and often fear making the wrong choice, even though I (we) know there is no wrong choice. However, it's scary, I know.

    "And no decision is a decision.....the 'pause, buy time, do what's in front of you' is a decision."

    Right you are, my friend! Doing what's in front of you - one step at a time.

    "And I'm never alone. I've got lots of great people (you included) taking the journey with me."

    No, you are never alone.

    (((((( Mel ))))))))

    Thank you, dear lady! For being who you are and sharing all you share on your blog. You're an angel!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    X ya!

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  16. i am thankful, it could always be worse.

    thanks for sharing your life with us ron.

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  17. Bonjour Barbara~

    (((( Barb )))))

    Back at ya!

    I know that you (and D) have been though A LOT of challenges this past year, so you can totally understand being in the dark and counting your blessings.

    "It is not over... I can feel like steel one day and the next be feeling going through my loss.I know that when I do have to cry, I let myself go."

    Absolutely. It's a process that takes time, and crying/feeling is part of letting go.

    Yes, I will spending my Thanksgiving day with a dear, close friend. And preparing myself for Black Friday - HA!

    Thank you for stopping by, Barb! Have a great Monday and a blessed Thanksgiving day!

    xo

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  18. Good Morning SuziCate~

    "Yes, challenges indeed do shape us into who we are and make us grateful for our many blessings."

    They do, don't they?

    Thank you for your friendship, dear lady. It's been such a joy getting to know you this year!

    Have a super Monday and beautiful Thanksgiving Day!

    X to you and your family!

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  19. Good Morning Valerie~

    "There were one or two moments when I floundered in dark water but I lived to tell the tale and KNOW that they made me what I am today: beautiful, sexy, and rich."

    HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yes you are, dear lady! You TOTALLY rock!

    And yes, I too have floundered in dark water.

    "I developed some kind of wisdom that has people calling on me for answers to their dark problems. I never tell themn a thing, just let them work it out for themselves. I'm rotten like that."

    Oh, no you're not! They call you because they know you'll share some GREAT advice. And even being 'present' for them and simply listening, is healing in itself.

    Thank you for your sweet and kind words, Valerie. And please know just how HAPPY and BLESSED I feel in having met you recently. You're not only talented, but a freakin' AWESOME lady!

    (((( Valerie )))))

    Thanks for stopping by! Have a FAB Monday!

    X

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  20. Greetings Rob~

    Welcome! Thank you so much for stopping and sharing a comment. I'm so glad I read your interview on Back2 Brooklyn's blog, it was a pleasure meeting you!

    I look forward to reading more!

    Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing you and your family the very best!

    Enjoy your Monday!

    X

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  21. Oh Ron! That was wonderful. And you are SO right when you said,

    "So, today I would like to give thanks for the challenges I’ve had in my life. For without them, I would never know gratitude......."

    AMEN!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you my Libra friend.
    xoxoxo

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  22. Good Morning Lady Dianne~

    Thank you, dear lady! Aren't the photos just lovely? I discovered them online last night, while trying to 'quickly' find images that would illustrate my feellings. Normally, it takes me awhile to find stuff, but for some reason these two popped up after only a few minutes of googling.

    "you make me laugh, you make me feel appreciated, you make me feel brilliant with each comment to everything I post."

    That's only because you ARE brilliant! And I TRULY mean that!

    What a blessing you are - to so many!

    Thank you for stopping by, dear lady! Wishing you, Hope, Siren, and Isadora the BESTEST Thanksgiving Day ever!

    (((( you and the gang )))))

    X ya, bunches!

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  23. Good Morning V~

    And thank YOU for sharing your life with me too!

    You're many talents blow me away!

    (((( V )))))

    Thanks for stopping by, girl! Happy Thanksgiving Day to you and your loved ones!

    X ya!

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  24. Good Morning Meleah, my Libra friend~

    Thank you for coming into my life, girl!

    For so many reasons....you're a GEM!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your FAAAAAAAAAAAAABULOUS family!

    Have a great Monday!

    X ya!

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  25. Hi Ron. I would first like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. All of what you say is true. Although there are a few "bad" experiences in my life that have never softened with age. But what I get from those is the knowledge that I am strong and can weather most challenges. So in that way those times are helpful in building character and changing perspective. Life can be very hard at times. But it really does help to have a"half-full" attitude. I just don't see the point on dwelling on the negatives. It just brings you down. So seeing silver linings is the way to go. It helps make sense out of so many confusing and inexplicable things.

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  26. Hello Susie~

    And a Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

    "Although there are a few "bad" experiences in my life that have never softened with age. But what I get from those is the knowledge that I am strong and can weather most challenges."

    Exactly! I too have had 'certain' experiences that have never softened with age. However, like you shared...they still can teach us something valuable for the future.

    "But it really does help to have a"half-full" attitude. I just don't see the point on dwelling on the negatives."

    Me neither. But, that's not to say I don't bitch and moan somethings, however it doesn't last long. Well, not as long as it use to when I was much younger - HA!

    "So seeing silver linings is the way to go. It helps make sense out of so many confusing and inexplicable things."

    Yes. And know you understand that completely, because of what you've been through.

    ((( Susie )))

    Thank you so much for stopping by today. And thank you for your friendship!

    Muchly cherished!

    Happy Monday!

    X

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  27. Beautiful post Ron. We all need to step back sometimes and see the good wrapped in life along with those dark days we fear. Happy Thanksgiving.

    Katherine

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  28. You should take a side job writing motivational posters. Seriously - great post, and I love your attitude. Without bad, there would be no good. This is important to remember.

    Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!

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  29. You are so right Ron. Even those negative challenges most times do have a positive outcome. We learn from them and become stronger better people.


    I am very thankful you came into my life! Thank you for being my friend!

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  30. Hello Katherine~

    "We all need to step back sometimes and see the good wrapped in life along with those dark days we fear."

    Yes, exactly my friend! In dark, we discover light.

    Thank you so much for stopping by today! And thank you for all that you share on your blog. Muchly enjoyed!

    Have a great Thanksgiving Day!

    X to you and your girls!

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  31. Howdy Mark~

    Awww...thank you, kind sir.

    "Without the bad, there would be no good."

    You are soooooooooo right!

    It's been a pleasure reading your blog these past few weeks. I look forward to reading more. You're a very talented writer!

    Thank you for stopping by today.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

    X

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  32. Hello Peg~

    "Even those negative challenges most times do have a positive outcome. We learn from them and become stronger better people."

    That's what I've discoverd too, dear friend!

    Ditto....I am very thankful you came into my life! Thank you for being my friend!

    Can't wait to meet ya!

    Thanks for stopping by today.

    Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

    X

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  33. Thank You Ron, As one of my first blogging buddies I Thank You for being exactly who you are, you have always been very respectful, light hearted, serious, and funny all at the same time, you are a good friend in my opinion and I thank you for that, Cindy says that you are actually her buddy but I guess we will just have to share you Ha Ha.

    Yes Sir the challenges we go through in our lives mold us into the strong person we are today and without them look at the weak person we would be.

    Excellent Post Ron and a Happy Thanksgiving to you.

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  34. Howdy Jimmy~

    First, I have to say a HUGE thank you, because without having read your awesome post, I would have never found inspiration for this one.

    So THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

    And thank you for your sweet and kind words, sir. And ditto to you on being a GOOD friend. You're a 'good soul' Jimmy!

    "Cindy says that you are actually her buddy but I guess we will just have to share you."

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Please tell Cindy that I think of her as my buddy too!

    (((( Cindy ))))

    And that one day I look forward to sharing a cigarette and some conversation. However, she'll have to supply the LIGHTER!

    Bwhahahahahhahahahaha!

    "the challenges we go through in our lives mold us into the strong person we are today and without them look at the weak person we would be."

    Yes!

    Thank you for stopping by today.

    Wishing you and Cindy a very Happy Thanksgiving!

    X to you both!

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  35. SO well said, my friend. Thank you for reminding us all of this. I'm so grateful to have met you. Your wisdom and humor are unparalleled!

    Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'll pray for some snow for you. ;-)

    Oh, and LOVIN Snoopy in the sidebar! Move over, Iron Chef!

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  36. Helloooooooooooo Chrissy~

    OMG, it's so great to see ya, girl!!!

    ((( Chrissy )))

    Thank you soooooooooooo much for you kind words, my friend. They truly touched me.

    And ditto to YOU! So grateful to have met you. Your wisdom and humor are unparalleled!

    I remember reading your blog for the first time, and thinking...."This girl can WRITE!!"

    Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving too! And YES...please pray for snow. I would LOVE some right now!

    Hee, hee....don't you just LOVE Snoopy on the sidebar? I looooooove Snoopy! He's so damn cute.

    Oh, and please tell Bern and Vinny I said Hi!

    Woof! Meow!

    Thanks for stopping by!

    X

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  37. Hi Ron, such a nice reflection on living, stretching, growing. And gratitude. A perfect reflection for Thanksgiving. I am grateful for the message and the reminder to seek the lessons and not fear them. You are so completely right.

    Cristy is doing so much better, but then just like that, tonight as she was driving home from Target, a driver hit her from behind. The weird thing was she wasn't stopped. Both cars were moving. The other driver decided to try to get away but Cristy chased him down and gave him a piece of her mind. She is something else. I would have been crying and calling 911.

    A very happy Thanksgiving to you Ron. Please drop by for pie later if you have the time. Cristy is making all the sweets and I promise you they are always yummy. :) xo

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  38. Life can be challenging, and when things are bad, sometimes you don't even know how you're gonna get around such a big problem - but you do. And you persevere. When I look back, I am grateful for the blessings I have received in life, as I can tell you are, Ron! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  39. Hmmmm ... well, okay. Maybe. Sometimes the challenges seem more like some sick, twisted test from the cosmos. Looking on the bright side of the glass half full isn't my specialty but I'll give it a shot because you're a good friend, Ron. For that I'm thankful. ;)

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  40. Good Morning Diane~

    "I am grateful for the message and the reminder to seek the lessons and not fear them."

    Yes, I think that's the 'key' to challenges - to seek the lessons. And that's not to say we don't fear the challenges, because I do. The lessons always seem to come 'after'; preparing me for the next challenge.

    OMG, sorry to hear about Cristy's car accident. I hope she's okay.

    "The other driver decided to try to get away but Cristy chased him down and gave him a piece of her mind."

    HA! She's exactly like me, because that sounds like something I would do.

    Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!?#?!

    And a VERY Happy Thanksgiving to you and Cristy too!

    "Please drop by for pie later if you have the time. Cristy is making all the sweets and I promise you they are always yummy."

    Okay, I'll take the red-eye over at midnight Wednesday. I'll be there by 4 a.m. - save me a piece of pie!

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    Thanks for stopping by, Diane! Have a wonderful day!

    X to you and Cristy!

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  41. Good Morning Gal From Brooklyn~

    "....sometimes you don't even know how you're gonna get around such a big problem - but you do. And you persevere."

    Yes, I so totally know what you mean. About 6-7 years ago I went through some MAJOR challenges, and had no idea how I was going to get around them - I don't think I was ever so scared in my life. But, as you shared, you perserve. And with the support of family and friends - I did.

    "When I look back, I am grateful for the blessings I have received in life..."

    Me too.

    Thanks for stopping by, dear lady! Always great to see you.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    X

    P.S. I so enjoyed your last post. Great interview!

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  42. Beautiful post, Ron!

    2010 brought me my most "challenging life-altering experience" thus far. I lost my father (Oct 24). My heart hurt so much I thought I would never be happy again.

    Alas, happiness is returning..though softly so..in simple little things, like my gardening (a love he and I shared).

    Also, I am VERY thankful for the lessons I learned during this journey.
    I am thankful for the 10 months we had with him to say all we wished and needed to say.
    I am changed forever..I do believe, in a positive way...
    To live and love far more deeply now..was one of his wishes...I plan to honor that!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you, my friend!

    X ya!

    ~morri

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  43. Good Morning Morri~

    Oh, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father this year - I had no idea.

    Even though I lost my father about 15 years ago, I can still understand/feel what you mean in sharing...

    "Alas, happiness is returning..though softly so..in simple little things, like my gardening (a love he and I shared)."

    For the first year after my father's death was probably the most difficult, because every holiday that came up reminded me that was no longer here to celebrate them. He LOVE all the holidays. I remember going into a card store a few months after he passed away, and realized I could no longer send an Easter card to the 'both' of my parents. I got so emotion, I started crying.

    "I am thankful for the 10 months we had with him to say all we wished and needed to say."

    How wonderful!

    "I am changed forever..I do believe, in a positive way...

    To live and love far more deeply now..was one of his wishes...I plan to honor that!"

    Yes! The same thing with me. The whole time my family and I sat at my father's bedside, all I kept hearing in my heart was....

    "Live more deeply now. Don't wait."

    Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing on this post, my friend!

    Much appreciated.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

    X ya!

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  44. Good Morning Nitebyrd~

    "Sometimes the challenges seem more like some sick, twisted test from the cosmos."

    Yes they do, don't they? A twisted test. I remember going through bankruptcy and thinking that exact thing. It felt like the darkest, scariest, twisted time in my life - eek!

    Yet, after it was over, I did see the lessons I learned from the experience.

    So for that, I am grateful.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Sis! And please know how freakin' blessed I feel in having met you.

    You're the BEST!

    Have a great Thanksgiving!

    X ya, bunches!

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  45. Ron, your stars are aligned properly. Not everyone sees things this way. The older I've gotten, the more I see challenges as a stepping stone. It's all about the attitude. As it's said, life is 10% what happens and 90% how you respond to it. Every day we choose our attitude. We can choose to let a challenge get us down, or we can choose to be better because of it.

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  46. Hey Matty~

    Great to see ya!

    Thank you so much for your awesome comment! You shared it perfectly....

    "The older I've gotten, the more I see challenges as a stepping stone. It's all about the attitude."

    Thank you.

    Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!

    X

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  47. Being thankful is so beautiful. No matter what. Life is sweet. With all its various perfumes and enchanting colors.

    Have a sweet Thanksgiving dear Ron... here in Paris Leesa is organizing one for us on Dec 4th!

    Oh... and I'm so thankful for having you as a blog friend!

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  48. Awwwwww! Thank you for saying that to me! You rock. I am soooo happy to have *met* you and that we've become such good friends! I am truly blessed.

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  49. Bonjour Susu~

    OMG, I LOVE how you said this....

    "No matter what. Life is sweet. With all its various perfumes and enchanting colors."

    That's FLAWLESS!

    And you're right...with all it's various perfumes and colors! I may have to quote you on that one day!

    Have a wonderful celebration of Thanksgiving on Dec. 4th!

    And me too, I'm so thankful for having you as a blog friend, beautiful lady!

    Thank you for stopping by!

    Ciao...X

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  50. Good Morning Meleah~

    ((( Meleah )))

    I am truly blessed!

    Thank you for stopping by again! Have a FAB day tomorrow, girl!

    X

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  51. A big thank you to you for being one of my blog friends! I'm always so grateful that you stop by and brighten my virtual doorstep.
    I must agree that the tough times do give us invaluable life lessons. I have to keep telling myself that when something unfortunate happens.
    Have a wonderful holiday!

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  52. Good Morning Jen~

    "A big thank you to you for being one of my blog friends! I'm always so grateful that you stop by and brighten my virtual doorstep."

    And thank YOU, my friend! Ditto back to you!

    "....tough times do give us invaluable life lessons. I have to keep telling myself that when something unfortunate happens."

    Me too, Jen. The thing with tough times, is that the clarity in the life lessons usually come AFTER the tough times, so it's challenging to keep the faith.

    Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you and your hubby a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

    X

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  53. Thanks for your friendship! Best wishes for a nice Thanksgiving and a great weekend. Hope the holiday shoppers are kind and considerate... bwaahaha... okay, that might be wanting a bit tooo much for ya. LOL How about I just hope it's COLD this weekend?!
    We were in Philly yesterday for my birthday and it wasn't really cold enough. It's coming though!
    Can't wait to come back over and look around Christmas Village!

    xo

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  54. Hello Crystal Chick~

    "Hope the holiday shoppers are kind and considerate... bwaahaha... okay, that might be wanting a bit tooo much for ya."

    Bwhahahahahhaahaha! OMG, you have no idea how much I am NOT looking forward to Black Friday and crazy shoppers!#?#

    Yes, I heard it's going to be COLD tomorrow - yipeee!

    Happy Belated Birthday, M!!! Hope you had a great time in Philly!

    "Can't wait to come back over and look around Christmas Village!"

    Don't ya just LOVE the Christmas Village???" It reminds me of when I was kid!

    Have a faaaaaaabulous Thanksgiving Day, my friend!

    And thank YOU for your friendship!

    XO

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  55. ron, this is such a beautiful and heart-felt post, it made me cry to read your words...they are so true and so often, we do get caught in the BS of everyday stuff and forget to see the trees for the forest all around...thank you for your offering to us the night before Thanksgiving, it is a deep and meaning-full gift. always, linda
    xoxox

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  56. Good Evening Linda~

    "we do get caught in the BS of everyday stuff and forget to see the trees for the forest all around...thank you for your offering to us the night before Thanksgiving"

    And thank YOU for those words. "Forget to see the trees for the forest".

    You're right!

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, dear lady!

    X to you and hubby!

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  57. very true my dear. in fact, this is what im writing my feature piece on for the magazine i'm working for. it's been a bitch of a year, but i have grown alot, and i see things differently and it's actually turning out to be one of the most beneficial years of my life. so hey, who knew.

    loves ya lots bestie!! hope you are surrounded by wonderful people and yummy food today!

    i am thankful to have "met" you!!

    xoxo, Blunt

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  58. Hey Blunt~

    "in fact, this is what im writing my feature piece on for the magazine i'm working for."

    OMG, that sounds great! Please let me know when you publish it because I would really like to read it.

    "it's been a bitch of a year, but i have grown alot, and i see things differently and it's actually turning out to be one of the most beneficial years of my life. so hey, who knew."

    See! That's what I mean, even through the most bitching times, we always seem to look back and see it as something of a benefit!

    Love ya lots too, bestie! And am so thankful to have met you!

    Thanks oodles for stopping by today!

    Happy Thanksgiving Day!

    xoxox

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