Thanksgiving Reflections

Today, I miss my sister and brothers, my cousins, their kids and grandkids. My small household is here in Canada, the rest of my family scattered over the US and Japan.

I miss others, too, because at 69 there will be many who have died: my father long ago, my mother only a few years ago, my mother-in-law, most of my uncles and aunts, even a few cousins.

And today is a family day. We are celebrating Thanksgiving (actually, a day early, but that happens). It will be a sad day with just the three of us, but it will also be a good day.

Because today, I am also thankful:

• For good health
• For my family
• For living in the province, the city, the neighbourhood, the house I love
• For having, despite some serious problems along the way, a good life
• And for being able to share some of that goodness with others.

I am also thankful that those pesky little onions are peeled, the stuffing is almost finished and the brussel sprouts from the CGA are cut and cleaned.

Thankful, too, that I now know to how to cook those brussel sprouts so they won't taste like miniature waterlogged cabbages. Thanks, little sister, for showing me how to roast them!