November Gratitude

It’s November and 2016 is  almost over ! I can hardly believe it.  This year I celebrated my first ever Thanksgiving in America. As I savoured the succulent turkey, sipped on a mellow Cabernet and listened to snippets of conversation that owed around the table , I realised I had a lot to be grateful for.

An American Tradition

For one I was grateful that my hosts invited me to their home to partake of the most splendid turkey I’ve ever eaten.

I’ve always had turkey for Christmas and this was the first time ever I had it for Thanksgiving.

And it was a wonderful feeling to actually express gratitude and celebrate abundance. Thanks D & S for thinking of us on this day.

Did you know that it was only 85 years ago that President Herbert Hoover declared it a nationwide holiday?

Since then, this has become a much cherished holiday and you can notice a palpable spirit of good cheer as the days become darker and greyer for most parts of the US.

Gratitude for health

In spite of jet engines and motor cars, travelling is not always easy. Traversing time zones in short periods of time plays havoc with one’s Circadian Rhythm. I am thankful that I am strong enough to sit squashed in the window seat for four hours at a stretch.

I am grateful that I could travel to Cleveland and San Francisco to meet friends and family .

Gratitude for wealth

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust

True wealth is measured not in gold and silver but in the abundance of family, friends and relationships.

I am grateful for my family that loves me and supports me with all my idiosyncrasies.

I am equally grateful for friends who understand my moments of silence and are ready to pick up from where we left off .

In this increasingly busy world, it is difficult to talk to everyone everyday. It is also difficult to read and respond to the text messages, emails and phone calls that I receive. Yet, despite my infrequent communication, I am grateful that friends and family understand and continue to stand by me when I reach out.

Thank you my dear friends from the past and new ones from the present for the warmth of your friendship. 

Gratitude for happiness

“Happiness is itself a kind of gratitude.” — Joseph Wood Krutch

The ability to be happy is indeed a gift and I am grateful that I have this in plenty.

They say when life throws you lemons, make lemonade and I’ve made so much that the enamel of my teeth is wearing thin. But I’m grateful for the fact that I can still see the bright side of any situation (often in hindsight) and be happy most of the time

Gratitude for technology

When I see my little granddaughter swiping my iPhone, I thank God for technology that has made it possible for my different worlds to stay connected.

What would I have done without wifi?

Gratitude for being

“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks”. — Unknown

Far away from the sunny shores of Mumbai as I watch the days getting colder and darker, I am grateful for being where I am – snug and cozy in a heated apartment.

This week will be the last few days of my long stay in America and I am grateful that I could enjoy these days away from home.

While miss the half of my family left behind, I am grateful for these precious moments I’m spending with the other half!

This hasn’t been a seamless transition and it has had its share of scares, worries, tantrums and tears. But we survived it and today I am grateful to see the two of them settling down to a new life in a far away place.

Finally, after days of living I never America, I am grateful for being Indian .  Thank God we don’t have car seats to hamper journeys; where people can talk loudly without fear of disturbing their neighbours; where the streets are crowded and teeming with people; where you can step out and hail a cab or jump on to a bus and where you can still get hired help at a pinch.

Now isn’t that a lot to be thankful for?

Linking this up with Vidya Sury’s #GratitudeCircle and Corinne’s #FridayReflection post.