Yes, many reasons to be grateful
You gotta move, love. You have to forgive people who sometimes aren’t even sorry. Master this, and the blessings overflow. Move love!
You may wonder where is Harry going this time. Bear with me; this is my Thanksgiving message for 2021, prompted in part by that message I received on Facebook. First, you gotta move, love, and what exactly does that mean to you and me. The second part that prompted me to write this is how many people face deep struggles for various reasons, the fear, uncertainty, economic fallout, and restrictions surrounding the COVID-19. And thirdly the need for more Thanksgiving in our hearts and ‘you gotta move love.’
Normally special occasions were difficult for me, especially Thanksgiving. This year for the first time, no burden of grief after losing my wife Judy more than three years ago. When I shared that with a pastor friend, he said how the burden of his mother’s passing had stuck with him until one day it lifted. I had no burden of grief for the first time on a special day Monday, October 11, Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a combination of Europeans giving thanks and American Thanksgiving. But those thanksgivings centred on giving thanks for what they have to the living God; wow what a blessing. Then later, Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving Day.
I’m thankful that a brush with COVID-19 when I tested positive while quite ill but did not have a fever nor did it affect my breathing. Yet, it zapped my energy and I’m still working at getting it back. This isn’t a discussion about whether or not you should receive the vaccinations. In my case, several medical doctors in my life for many years looked after my physical health to the best of their abilities and medical health knowledge and experience. All three of my underlying health conditions said the double vaccination I received in July most likely saved my life.
So thankful that at 75 years old I still work as an independent, international agricultural and farm journalist of 51 years. I put 1-God, 2-family 3-accurate journalism, 4-farmers’ advocate. I love what I do. I know the business pretty well but still, keep learning.
So thankful that despite all the misgivings surrounding COVID-19 our country continues to be the freest and best place to live bar none. Many seem to forget that sometimes and that doesn’t mean it is Rosey for everyone all the time, but when we have it better than 99 per cent of the people in the world, that is a huge reason to be thankful.
I’m thankful for the people I serve in the agricultural industry. After more than 50 years of going to meetings, interviewing farmers, suppliers, politicians, researchers, professors, and assistants, I am so thankful; it is almost too hard to express.
I’m thankful for my immediate family who stepped in to help, support and encourage after the passing of my wife. Wow, thanks to Laurelle and Kevin, Lynn and Luke and my seven grandchildren. Only God knows how important family is to me.
I’m thankful for the almost 30,000 followers I serve and ask for information on three social media platforms. Grateful for two reasons, it gave me access to the farming industry despite no meetings to attend during COVID-19.
Last but not least, I’m thankful for God, family, friends, relatives and other acquaintances.
Remember, if not, go back to the beginning – “You gotta move, love. You have to forgive people who sometimes aren’t even sorry. Master this, and the blessings overflow. Move love!” •