Being Thankful

Post #17

Last week, I attended the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon hosted by the American Jewish Committee (on whose board I have served for about ten years). In addition to other board members, AJC invited its partners from other faith and ethnic communities. As we enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, we were asked to swap stories of our own family rituals of the holiday. In addition, we were asked to share what we were grateful for this year. I thought I’d share a much-extended version of my list:

• I’m fortunate to have been raised in Montgomery County, where I got a great public school education (K-12) and where I continue to learn from others in the community every day.

• I’m lucky to have a beautiful home in Rockville that provides us not just with shelter and warmth, but a welcoming venue where we regularly host friends and family.

• I have a wonderful husband whose kindness, patience, flexibility, and support provides me with more than I could have ever imagined.

• I’m blessed with loving friends and a dynamic extended family.

• I am privileged to have had a career that has given me the opportunity to make a difference in others’ lives.

• I’m grateful that I have health insurance and access to health care professionals who take care of me and my family.

• I’m challenged by living in this time of constantly changing technology and love learning about incorporating it into my life each day.

• I love being involved in the arts community. The warmth and creativity from artists and musicians bring all of us untold joy year-round.

• We should all be grateful for everyone else who works to make our communities and our lives better. Thanks to our firefighters and police officers; those who work year-round with the hungry, homeless, and abused; our teachers and librarians; and government employees at all levels who are usually underpaid and underappreciated.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! What are you grateful for this time of year…and year-round? Send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views. Please be sure to indicate which post (#17) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.