What are you Thankful for?

I’m sure this is going to be a trend today. What are you thankful for?

As I pack up my kids and my dog for a long trip into the mountains to see my family, I found myself thinking about this more this year than I normally do.

***What is Thanksgiving?***

Everyone in America knows the roots of Thanksgiving. It was a three-day feast celebrated by 13 colonists and 90 Native Americans. They gave thanks to God for safely bringing them to the new world. Interesting fact: Three of the colonists were Eatons, and according to my husband, are direct descendants – neat bragging rights for my kids. Anyway… President Lincoln made it a national holiday in 1863, and we have celebrated it ever since.

In time, I think it has lost a lot of its original meaning. For many, it is just a day to eat until you want to puke, and get ready for a marathon shopping trip the next day (which now, you can start at 12:00 in the morning on Friday—nuts)

***Be thankful for what you have***

I think it is important though, to remember the original intentions of the colonists. Now, I am not going to get all religious on you. But everyone SHOULD be thankful for what they have. No matter what you believe in, nothing should be taken for granted. Whether you believe that you are blessed by what you have, or if it is just the product of hard work, BE THANKFUL FOR IT.

What am I thankful for?

Honestly, everything. Even my trials. All the hardships in my life make me stronger. Of course, I am a little more thankful for the nice things in my life… my husband, my children, my home, my job, etc… I might be just a little less thankful for my trials, but I welcome them just the same.

***Are you thankful for your gifts? Do you use them?***

For the past few weeks, I have heard several speakers talk on multiple subjects in different places. All of them, for some reason, shifted their main topics to “using the gifts that have been given to you”.

About twelve years ago, I stopped using the one solid, strong gift that was given to me. I stopped writing. I got wrapped up in motherhood and corporate America. A few years ago, I decided I needed to start writing again.

It was a rough start. My ideas and imagination were solid. My ability to transform it into words was solid, but after such a long stretch, I needed to re-learn the “craft” of writing. I needed to re-learn how to evolve it on a page.

I am thankful for all the people I met in the past few years who saw the potential in my story. I am thankful that after some practice, I am almost as good as I was when I wrote novels just for fun.

I am thankful for the people who coaxed me into creating this blog, and I am thankful that so many people are learning what “not to do” before they make the same mistakes I did.

I am thankful for all the new cyber friends I have made, and the internet for introducing me to people all over the world.

Most of all, I am thankful for the ability to create something that others can enjoy. Whether it is writing on this blog, or writing my novels, I need to remember that I have been given a gift, and I promise that I will do my best not to waste it again.

To my husband: Yes Dear, that means I will get off my stinking butt and finally get published in 2012.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jennifer Eaton