Thanksgiving 2023

Our Canadian holiday of gratitude –

A day of giving thanks.

It was an emotional weekend this year.

A Sunday spiritual prayer service…

Heartfelt messages

and souls-stirring songs

A soul’s recognition of

voices from its youth

And the unconditional love

and eternal support

of loved ones no longer with us…

Whose funeral services were held

within these very same walls.

Oh, if they could only talk.

Listening to Mamma Mia on TV

and singing along to

those ABBA favourites

while preparing dinner Monday

helped recharge my spirit

from the emotional exhaustion I was feeling

and it also brought back memories

of road trips with Dad.

He taught me it was only fair to alternate the tunes

Country Heat or Elvis Presley for him

ABBA or Olivia Newton John for me.

We always had a snack kit packed…

Hot dogs, bought sliced bread, radishes,

Cool ones for him, Bubble gum for me.

Funny, I remember

I used to get motion sickness travelling as a kid

So I’d usually crash before we’d even get out of town

I was probably nearly 15 before I stayed awake

for an entire trip.

This year I am grateful for:

Seeing the splendor of the fall landscape

Singing from the depths of the soul

Hearing those familiar voices

Breaking bread with friends

All the heart-to-heart hugs

Feelings of love, togetherness, friendship, community…

Mere words are simply not enough…

Thank you!