I live in Australia where Thanksgiving isn't celebrated, but I lived most of my life in Canada, where it is, so I figure I can chip in. Health, comfortable house, nice husband, eccentric dog. All good.

This may seem a bit odd, but - here goes: my mother passed away earlier this year, and I'm thankful that I got the call in time, was able to get back to Canada, and have a week with her before she died - and I'm thankful that she was entirely herself until the last day, and then went very peacefully. And I'm thankful as well that the whole thing enabled me to reconnect with my sister after many years on different continents.

I'm so very sorry about your mother, jmm... Thank you for sharing. My parents live overseas and I dread hearing a phone ring, when it's an odd hour. Your mother was blessed to have you with her.

Our Thanksgiving will be just be a few of us (10), but we will have everyone for Christmas! Thankful for both the quieter, smaller gatherings, and the big, crazy ones! A wonderful husband, six children, five amazing in-laws, and eleven grands! We lost a pre-mature grandbaby, and I got a cancer diagnosis this past year. Reminders to take nothing for granted. Very grateful, very blessed.