I hope you and your family are having a lovely and wonderful beginning to the holiday season. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to share what we’re thankful for.
Throughout November, I’ve been sharing what I am thankful for through the #Gratefultoday hashtag on Facebook and Twitter. You should join in anytime!
I’m thankful for so many things in my life: I’m thankful that I live in a safe place. I’m thankful for my parents’ generosity and close proximity, my in-laws’ love and affection and generosity, my husband’s hardworking nature and devotion to our family. I’m thankful that I can visit my parents often, allowing my children to get to know them and build relationship with them.
Today I’m also thankful for our cat, Patch.
My daughter has not always been very affectionate. She didn’t really like hugs for a long time from any other people besides Mom and Dad. She doesn’t usually like animals. In fact when we got our cat a year and a half ago, I was expecting her to be excited; she could not have cared less.
Gradually, she has begun to open up and show more affection. She’ll carry him, pet and hug him. When he comes inside in the evening, I carry him to their room and have them say goodnight and they give him hugs. This is, for me, a wonderful thing to see her open up even just that little tiny bit.
I will say, another thing that has helped her really open up is having a new baby sister (who is 2 now) She’s very affectionate toward her and in many ways, that’s helped more Haha! But our cat has been staying inside more, and today I caught my daughter kissing him, which is something she NEVER does.
I’ve met so many other people whose pets have aided them in so many different ways. As a child, my childhood cat Charlie was a confidant I could talk to when I was very upset about life. Animals have this beautiful, calming affect. They bring out joy when sometimes we can’t find it otherwise,
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
What are you thankful for? Let me know in the comments!
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