Thanksgiving Blessings

by Etude, the Dude aka Mr Attitude and also Mr Gratitude

Hello friends,  
Today may be Thanksgiving but what do you know... Grammy's holidays seem to be mixed up.  It is more like Christmas came early for her.  Whether Christmas or Thanksgiving we will give thanks for the day and all that made it seem like Christmas.

Firstly, Grammy's mother named her after two dear friends and one of those is still with us.  She has topped 100 years and more and still writes letters to Grammy twice a year updating her on the family and what's happening with them.  Grammy, tries to write at least twice and sometime more often to do the same and had sent one of within the past couple of months.  Well, this past week Grammy got a note card with a letter from Aunty M. (Not to be confused with M&M from Austria) with the family update.   Grammy was thrilled.  It always lifts her spirits to get these letters.  

Secondly, the Austrian Ms have been in Canada for the past couple of months and Grammy has enjoyed having them here for morning coffees and for a couple of dinners.  We, of course, adore them.  They give us all kinds of belly rubs and head and chin tickles and lots of loving.  We can never get too much of that, for sure.

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Sadly their visit has come to an end....and they returned home yesterday... but when they arrived Grammy received some lovely gifts.  A beautiful mug and plate to be used at breakfast, an Austrian Calendar, cut-outs of cats that are typical of Austria, a few Austrian nativity scenes, Candles which will be perfect for our Christmas angel chime, truffles from Austria, a monetary gift for us - for Whisker, Mouse, Sweetie, Rondo and me.   The only thing with that is we don't get to spend it.  Grammy is saving it to put toward our pending annual visit to Dr Whitecoat.  BUT, we are delighted  with Grammy's and our gifts.  They are amazing and thoughtful gifts.

Well, before they returned home the younger M dropped by to deliver a few more cuddles and belly rubs for us and to leave a few things they wouldn't need or didn't wish to carry back home.  These may seem insignificant to some but to Grammy they were Christmas morning exciting!.  Two bottles, BIG bottles, of Evian water - that Grammy wouldn't spend the money on to treat herself.   Fruit, cookies, snacks, delicious marmalade, ice cream - three kinds (Grammy's delighted). Two lovely post cards of their home town, two Kalanchoe plants.. that Grammy will keep out of our (and especially Sweetie the dirt digger's) reach but is enjoying, some personal products for the face etc. and paper products.  All useful, handy to have and a real treat. ​

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Gifts for this year and some from past years.

Then yesterday when Grammy arrived home from church there were two more paper bags with more things on her doorstep... a couple of gift boxes, a cotton and a manmade fabric shopping bag, paper towels, wrapping tissue, some medical things, more personal facial items, laundry soap, and a miscellany of little things - colourful paperclips among them.

Grammy was overwhelmed at the generosity and kindness of her dear friends.  We had to share this with you on Thanksgiving... one day of the year where we formally recognize our thankfulness for our families, our friends, for our very lives, and every blessing we receive.   Let's remember to be thankful every day... not just this one day a year.  We have so much to be grateful for. 

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving Day, friends.... and may it include all of our friends worldwide.  ​

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