The Artist's Eyes by Jenn Lee

Here we are halfway into November, all the stores have fast forwarded from Halloween decor to Christmas. The retail industry screams, “Black Friday is coming! Mark your calendars!” Commercials on tv are all about deals for Christmas. Everywhere you turn including your mailboxes are reminders of Christmas and getting those presents for your loved ones before they run out. But what about Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving was a day of thanks that was created generations ago when America was birthed. Thanksgiving is the one day out of 365 in a year that we take a moment out of our busy lives to give thanks for everything in our lives. Of course five minutes of every day we could give thanks for at least one thing in our lives…right? But I admit even I take for granted the things in my life that I appreciate, love, need or have.

Like an epiphany, my mind runs through the things I have taken for granted in my life. Like a blind man given sight…all the colors all my senses are renewed. Sounds cheesy right? I’m sure some of you may think so, but seriously…think about it this morning..tomorrow morning, every morning. When you wake up, get that first sip of coffee to shake away the fuzziness…what am I thankful for?

While sipping my coffee I of course thought…I’m thankful for this coffee! ha-ha! But seriously, I am thankful each morning that I wake up. Thankful for the love of my life sleeping peacefully next to me and all the wonderful ways we show each other how much we appreciate each other as well as, he’s also my best friend. I am thankful for all four of my beautiful children and their good health. I am thankful for my family and the time spent with those that have passed. I am thankful I have a nice home for all of us to live in and all three of our wonderful kitties to share it with.

I am thankful for the wonderful friends that are in my life. Even though life speeds by at times and we get caught up with things that keep us from seeing each other as often if at all…my friends are always in my heart and mind. I am thankful for the smiles and laughter, the hugs and time shared, knowing we all are there for each other in times of need as well as times for fun.

I know this seems sappy in some minds, but seriously, take a moment…look around you…what do you see? What do you see that you take for granted? Finding things to be thankful for surrounding you isn’t difficult, just open your eyes, you will be surprised at what you come up with. It’s enlightening and well worth it….in this artist’s eyes.