Giving Thanks... For All My Children

This weekend marks the American celebration of Thanksgiving. Yesterday was designated worldwide as Children's Day. Does anything else we possess give more reason to give thanks... than for our children?Millions of children will come home from schools to share this precious weekend with loved ones. That is a part of the tradition families have embraced as part of their culture. Little does one realize... that in this short span of years, that the hour glass of sand is rapidly diminishing and a time when children will enter fully into the world of adulthood and that this home coming and others will cease to exist forever more. Our children will have their own spouses and children...with whom they will carry forward their own celebrations.

I have already reached this point of departure with my own "wee ones"... and yes, of course there is a degree of sadness in the loss of their presence. But I can truthfully say... that for each of those children... in separate families... there has been a fullness of sharing of traditions I was taught... things that I have always believed were important. There has always been time to be together... indoors and out and from this ... memories that will never die... because they are passed forward.

There are two lines in one of my lifetime anthems of song which I have tried to exercise and to live by with each of my children in their growing up years. The song "Teach Your Children Well", written by Graham Nash and performed by Stills Crosby Nash and Young contains these two lines:

"Teach your children what you believe in
 Make the world a place where they can live in."

So, in wishing all of my American Friends a very Happy Thanksgiving... perhaps you might give your children an extra long hug... a kiss... and tell them what blessings they are in your life! Just a Thanksgiving Thought from a Canadian Friend. Have a great weekend of celebration!

Thanksgiving 2008... our table decorated together... sharing daily grace and a Thanksgiving meal together

Sharing an October moment  in our beloved weekend Eden and hang out at White's Falls, Muskoka

December 26th...  en plein air... White's Falls... "wienering to celebrate Deb's eldest son Brad's Boxing Day birthday!

Three River Pals Andrew, Dad and I at the conclusion of our 5th Annual Thousand Island Canoe Trip 

Allison brings her beloved  Nanno to visit The Paint box gallery in Hillsdale. Nanno has gone to the podium with Allison to receive each of her degrees... and is a frequent flyer to Venice Summer School each summer

Forest Folk!... We... "speak for the trees!"... in our Canadian tuxedos!

Lisa, Mica and Bradie Boy join us in our passion for the wiener and White's falls!

Liam ... on location and "at work with Dad"... in Kettleby on a very cold November Day

Bryn and I ...Sharing the path... and the good life!

Blessings by the Bushel

"There is such a place as Fairyland - but only children can find the way to it. And they do know that it is fairyland until they are grown so old that they forget the way.One bitter day, when they seek it and cannot find it they realize what they have lost; and that is the tragedy of life. On that day the gates of Eden are shut behind them and the age of gold is over.Henceforth they must dwell in the common light of common day. Only a few, who remain children at heart can ever find that fair lost path again; and blessed are they above mortals. They, and only they can bring us tidings from that dear country where we once sojourned and from which we must ever more be exiles. The world calls them singers and poets and artists and story tellers; but they are just people who have never forgotten the way to fairyland."

- Lucy Maude Montgomery from "The story Girl"

"We"... the Sherman Children... young and old wish all of our American Friends...

Rich Thanksgiving Blessings of Much Peace and Plenty!!!