Collective Gratitude: The Feast Before the Feast

Posted on by Wynne Leon

I love Thanksgiving. What can be better than a day glowing with gratitude? Okay, I know that sitting around a table with family and friends sometimes sparks some stress and a whole lot of work. So a couple of weeks ago, we put a call out for a feast of virtual gratitude from this incredible community. It comes without guilt or stress – and is also light on the calories!

As Beth said, the idea was, “just like bringing a dish to a thanksgiving feast.” Here are the contributions for our collective gratitude list. Bon Appetite!

Brian Hannon
Blog: Writing From the Heart with Brian
HoTM Contributor
Most Recent Podcast: Episode 91: NaNoWriMo with Brian Hannon

I’m grateful for great friends like you guys and creative blog posts like this one that make me appreciate life’s highs and lows and everything in between.

Dr. Gerald Stein
Blog: Dr. Gerald Stein: Blogging About Psychotherapy from Chicago
Most Recent Podcast: Episode 78: The Blessings & Responsibilities of Friendship with Dr. Stein

AND the podcast about this amazing story where Dr. Stein reminds us that giving benefits the giver as much or more than the recipient:
Episode 29: Accidental Philanthropists with Dr. Gerald Stein

My story is also the story of 10 high school friends who made a promise to meet almost 40 years after our graduation. Eight of us kept that promise and, through a series of remarkable and unlikely events, wound up creating the Zeolite Scholarship fund and giving away approximately a quarter of a million dollars in the space of about 15 years. Every year when we came to Chicago’s Mather High School to make the scholarship awards we felt like the luckiest people on earth: https://drgeraldstein.wordpress.com/2020/01/01/what-were-you-doing-twenty-years-ago-today/

Michelle Oram
Blog: Boomer Eco Crusader: Live Green | Declutter | Simplify Life
Michelle’s Retirement Coaching site: Second Life Vision (new!!)
Most Recent Podcast: Episode 81: “Clutter Tales” with Michelle Oram

I’m grateful for many things but, as the daylight grows shorter each day, I’m especially appreciative of sunshine and nature. The fall of 2024 made me especially grateful for the spectacular display of colour it treated us to. It felt like the trees were providing a natural antidote to all the negativity in the world.

Todd Fulginiti
Blog: Five O’Clock Shadow
For Todd’s incredible music: Todd Fulginiti
Most Recent Podcast: Episode 59: Creative Balance with Todd Fulginiti

I’m grateful for diversity (in all areas- people, music, food, plants and animals…)

Lauren Scott
Blog: Baydreamer Writes: Life in Poetry and Prose
Most Recent Podcast: Episode 92: Baydreamer – Author Lauren Scott
!!Her children’s book Cora’s Quest will be out in December!!

My list is never ending, but to share some, I’m grateful for family and friends, including furry family members that have enriched my life, for the world of blogging and the wonderful connections it generates, for nature and her gorgeous gifts, for books, for the passion to write, for music, and last but not least, for pain-free days.

Elizabeth Wickham
Blog: bleuwater: thoughts about life from below the surface
Most Recent Podcast: Episode 21: A Creative Life with Elizabeth Wickham

I’m grateful for my husband. We’ll be celebrating 40 years of marriage in 2025. I’m grateful for my children and that my daughter-in-law has had three scans so far that are cancer free. I’m grateful for this blogging community and the delight I have in reading everyone’s thoughts each day.

Michael Ross
Blog: The Real Reality Show: Don’t Believe Everything You Think
Founder of ROAMcare and the Uplift blog

I am grateful that three times I survived when those that know said it was a long shot that I would, but I am still here to look out each day at noon and say a pray grateful to know we on the back side on the way to another day with family, friends, and friends yet to meet.

Alegria
Blog: Life with Alegria
HoTM Contributor
Recent Gratitude Post (around the time of Canadian Thanksgiving: Grateful For

For me, as you’ve probably guessed it’s all in the little details that we sometimes overlook or take for granted. And sometimes we also have to be grateful for the things we don’t receive and for the hard stuff. They come with lessons we couldn’t learn elsewhere.
I had posted about gratitude just last month, around the time of Canadian Thanksgiving.
You’ll find that post here. https://lifewithalegria.com/2024/10/18/grateful-for/

Beth Kennedy
Blog: i didn’t have my glasses on: A trip through life with my fingers crossed and eternal optimism
Most recent podcast: Episode 75: “Cast Aside” with Beth Kennedy

I am so grateful for the people in my life who I have connected with. family, friends, and people who I meet along the way, bloggers included. every single interaction has impacted me in some way and helped to make me who I am.

Cindy Georgakas
Blog: Unique Times with Cindy
Most recent podcast: Episode 93: Celebrating Poetry with Cindy Georgakas
AND Cindy’s book Celebrating Poetry was just released!!

Love this idea! Grateful for your innovation💓❣️

Pete Springer
Blog: Pete Springer: Passionate Teacher and Future Children’s Author
Most recent podcast: Episode 79: Sometimes You Have to Laugh With Pete Springer

I share your super power. That is more a reflection of my parents who always taught their kids to appreciate our blessings instead of focusing on the things we didn’t have. I look forward to taking part.

Ab
Blog: My Life with T
Most Recent Podcast: Episode 85: Writing & Advocacy with Ab
AND stay tuned for a new podcast with Ab coming on Friday 11/29!!

For me, it all boils down to my loved ones. They are what I feel the most grateful for in life and what keeps me going.

And I’m grateful for you two and the HOTM community – my daily boost of positive energy.

Dave Williams
Blog: Dave Williams: Writing and Drawings
Most Recent Podcast: Episode 82: “Embrace Your Weird” with Dave Williams

I’m grateful for family and friends who have given me a sense of belonging. That incudes fellow bloggers, who put parts of their hearts into the world, which is generous and brave.

Melanie McGauran
Blog: Leaving the Door Open: Real Storytelling
Most Recent Podcast: Episode 94: Decoding Our Dreams with Melanie McGauran (Just dropped last week – check it out!!)

Although I knew what my calendar was pointing to, my oncologist confirmed this week that I am at my 5-year milestone from being diagnosed with cancer. This means that I have reached a place where the risk of recurrence is significantly reduced. I have now “graduated” to once-a year-appointments from the weekly, to every 3 months to every 6 months succession of exams, tests and scans with two different doctors.  I feel like a free woman!

It is a moment where I can return to saying “I’m in good health” and I am 1000% grateful for that.

Vicki Atkinson
Blog: Victoria Ponders
HoTM Co-founder
Book: “Surviving Sue”, a special story about resiliency and love: Eckhartz Press (paperback) and eBook on Amazon.
Most Recent Podcast: All of them!

Our dear, dear friend and fellow blogger, Julia Preston has been on our minds as we wish her spirit Godspeed with gratitude for all she’s contributed to boosting our creative juices, celebrating our writing – books and blog posts and podcasts…and more.
Julia was one of the first readers of “Surviving Sue” and her support through loving emails and encouragement, a rich and wonderful review filled me up when I needed the worthiness reminders. I can – and should – Julia would say – tell my story and focus on the aspects of ‘why’ I survived Sue. Literally. It was always for the love of Lisa.
Julia’s focus about that was unwavering over the past two years and I know she will forever be an angel in our hearts. A lightworker, continuing to lift others up with love. From a gratitude point of view, I could simply say this: I am grateful to have crossed paths with the brilliant, big-hearted poet, author, philosopher, Julia Preston. 💕💕💕

Wynne Leon
Blog: Surprised by Joy
HoTM Co-founder
Book: Finding My Father’s Faith
Most Recent Podcast: All of them!

I am so grateful for gratitude. That I can cultivate a deeper appreciation for what I have by counting my blessings completely transforms my experience of a moment, or a day, or my life.

I’m incredibly thankful for this WordPress community. To be a part of this community that thinks and feels deeply, is vulnerable, creative and thoughtful is a true blessing.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

(featured photo from Pexels)

48 thoughts on “Collective Gratitude: The Feast Before the Feast”

  2. It’s heartening and heartwarming to see the common thread that weaves through everyone’s reflections.

    There is so much to be grateful for and thank you to this wonderful HOTM community for every little daily gift of connection and community.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you all this week!

    Liked by 2 people

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  6. This group is a bit like the Zeolites, without the unexpected accidental philanthropy. Anyone care to take that on? Thank you, Wynne, and all of you!

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Such a wonderful list of gratitude, Wynne and I’m blessed to be amongst you mentions of wonderful podcasts. Omg i had no idea you had cancer and I am sooooo happy you are beyond the 5th year marker. Here’s to more health, joy, love and thankfulness. I’ thankful for you, Wynne! Love and Godspeed light to Julia is right. Although I don’t know her, i feel her love through you and Vicki.
    xo xo💓❤️💕

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thank you so much for contributing and all the well wishes. I think it’s Melanie McGauran that had cancer and wonderfully just celebrated 5 years cancer free!

      We are so grateful for your energy and contributions, Cindy! Happy Thanksgiving!

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. You’re so welcome, always. oh so sorry I missed that.. I’m happy for her! So glad you didn’t deal with that and a job lay off with your youngin’s.
        Awww, it’s my pleasure always. Thanks so much and you have a wonderful TG day.. xo
        💓🙏🏼🍁

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  13. What a heartwarming and beautiful feast of gratitude, and I’m grateful to be a part of it, Wynne! For those whose lives were invaded by cancer and survived, I’m grateful for you! Thanks, Wynne, to you and Vicki, for inviting me into your loving and warm circle. So much to be thankful for. Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🍁❤️

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  14. I completely forgot about this. (Gee, that never happens. 🤣)

    I have an awfully long list when it comes to things to be grateful for, though I’d have to start with family and friends. The best blessing this past year is undoubtedly our grandson.

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. A beautiful post! Perfect for Thanksgiving. And your links to the various podcast episodes show that such positivity expands well beyond Thanksgiving. Wynne, you and Vicki have created a warm and uplifting community through your podcast. I’m delighted to be in the mix. Thank you for including me among these lovely people. 🌞

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  17. Wow! SO MUCH HERE! People truly shared some wonderful thoughts from appreciating this community and sunshine and nature to pain-free days. I felt all of them. Have an amazing Thanksgiving tomorrow, Wynne and Vicki. We are grateful for you. 💕

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