Christmas is coming! The geese are getting fat! Oh wait a minute, Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Let's not get ahead of ourselves!

Every year families and friends get together with a feast of Turkey and trimmings to celebrate Thanksgiving! Prayers are prayed and toasts are made for being able to experience another holiday of giving thanks. While I am a traditionalist (meaning i love to celebrate too) I am reminded of the importance of giving thanks daily for ALL things, because there are lessons to be learned in them. No longer do I take for granted the people or things which enrich my life!

I'm thankful for God and the Power of Prayer. I've tried both and together the formula is awesome!

I'm thankful for my health. Ten years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today I am cancer free and living my life to the fullest!

I'm thankful for my family. Like all families we have some negatives HOWEVER the positives definitely out number the dysfunctional attributes. I have 3  beautiful ambitious nieces pursuing careers. The eldest niece Stacy serves in the U.S. Navy; Lashaunda graduates from U.S.F in March with a Bachelors Degree in Communications and Kenesha, who graduated from Bloomingdale High School this year, is pursuing a modeling career. All three of them have had challenges in their lives but they continue to persevere! My son, Jamal has continued to pursue his dream of becoming a richly paid entertainer for 18 years. He started deejaying at age 14. His career has taken him all over the country; he's collaborated with famous rappers/entertainers; produces music and also spins the latest hip/hop and r&b tunes at clubs. At age 32 years old, he continues to pursue the dream. His passion for his craft is relentless! Lest I forget my sisters! My middle sister is coming into her own while recovering from being divorced after 24 years of marriage. She also struggled with other challenges but has rebounded and doing very well! Jenifer, the youngest, was employed with Bank of America for many years but retired from the company and relocated to Orlando with her two youngest children and they are thriving in a new environment. My grandchildren are well and growing up surrounded by excellent support systems.

I am thankful for my job with a well known Media research company. The benefits are priceless! Also my schedule allows me to have more time to write and network.

I am thankful for our nations' President Barack Obama and the First Family! The first and certainly not the last, African American President of the United States of America!

I'm thankful for my friends. Through out my lifetime, I've had many. In their unique way, they've enriched my life and provided lasting memories. My childhood friends and I are bonded forever! Linked to a place and time in history where being black in America was a real struggle for our families overcoming prejudices because of skin color. Most of us have developed into responsible citizens and are living out the dream of freedom, justice and equality. Since entering the professional and business environment, I've developed friendships lasting for over thirty years. We continue to reach out to each other. Some of our paths continue to cross as we exchange jobs in the world of layoffs, cutbacks and downsizing. Also there are my Lady Luck friends. We meet monthly at a local restaurant. For sixty minutes we enjoy lunch and laughter while passing the lotto folder knowing that we will be Grand Prize winners one day!

My friend Valentina and I hardly see each other anymore but I do get email from her, which let's me know she is still alive!

Becoming a Writer has created opportunities for me to meet new friends because of our love of writing. Madeline inspired me to begin writing over ten years ago. Tiva and I traveled in the same book signing circuit for awhile before I decided to do take a break and start the Writers Club. There I met Jack, Joyce, Serena and Alice. I also have connected with Lois, a Writer from New York. She and I stay connected by email and occasional phone calls. Writing has reconnected me with Christine Wigfall Morris, Clearwater's first African American Librarian whose family pioneered to Clearwater in 1908! She and I co wrote her memoirs and will be published soon.

My friend Marlene...I met she and her husband Bill in Vegas over five years ago. They are from Albany, New York but live in Florida six months. We stay connected via email. We met again last winter over lunch in Florida with her friends from Wesley Chapel.

How about Norvie...I met him on a flight to Cleveland about two years ago. He and I stay connected via email.

Patricia is my friend. She relocated to DC 30 something years ago. We reconnected and have remained intouch.

Now my friend Gail and I, we talk to each other several times a week. I am her daughters' Godmother.

You see the problem with mentioning friends names is that if you forget someone, then you're toast! For All of you, I am thankful!

Also, I am thankful for the relationships with significant others. God bless you.

For the internet, I am thankful. So many lives can be touched in a short amount of time by just pressing the Enter button. 

The cornucopia of tangibles and intangibles to be thankful for is endless, however I can sum them up with my poem Dedicated To You - Thanks for Sharing :

Dedicated To You – Thanks for Sharing

For the smile you bring to my face

And the joy of your soft touch

Thanks for sharing.

For the kinds words spoken

When all around seemed broken

Thanks for sharing.

For the phone call

When I was alone

Staring at the wall

Thanks for sharing.

For the hello when you passed by

As I felt the pains and wanted to cry

Thanks for sharing.

For the random acts of kindness

That came unexpected

Thanks for sharing.

For the encouragement you gave

When I wanted to quit

Thanks for sharing.

For the bread you broke with me

When I was hungry

Thanks for sharing.

For the water that cooled my fever

And quenched my thirst

Thanks for sharing.

For the many things that I cannot name

You made life easier

Thanks for sharing.

Barbara J. Sorey©

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