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About...family
By Cam Tait
October 10, 2006
The sound of golden leaves scampering over the ground. Bright orange sunsets before prime time television is switched on. Cool mornings. Warm afternoons. And so much more that puts a few exclamation marks on the month of October, when Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving. The holiday causes us to take a breather from our hectic lives to reflect and be thankful for what we have.
I was trying to think of a Thanksgiving column - something that I haven't written about before. I wasn't having very much luck. And then our son made an interesting comment: "I know I have more than I did when I began the year," he said as he was giving me my monthly haircut. That got me thinking...
About the late nights when I get home from work and there is a cheese sandwich and chocolate cookie on the kitchen table with a note from my wife;
About the evening grocery shopping my wife does by herself after a full day of work;
About my three-and-a-half year-old grandson who snuggles up beside me at 7:15 a.m. and quietly says, "Hi Koppa."
About all the special things being a grandfather brings - something I thought I would never have;
About my parents living in their house for 44 years without any major accidents;
About my parents, whom are living in separate facilities now - and the personal care they are both getting that makes me feel safe;
About my sister, who is handling our parents' affairs in such a professional yet compassionate manner as well as managing her own family of five;
About our son who is taking a night course every Thursday so he can advance himself and share his efforts and hard work with his family;
About, of course, the free monthly haircut;
About the several times throughout the year when - like most families do - we have our disagreements and squabbles...and how we always find a way to apologize and to learn from them;
About being comfortable on a Friday night when you curl up with that special someone on the couch to watch a movie you've seen 341 times, and how you both laugh out loud at the funny scenes;
About Saturday morning sleep-ins, and going around the house with a bad hairdo for a few hours - and nobody cares;
About Sunday dinners with everyone around the table, when we share what we have learned during the past week and how we can use it in the days and months to come;
About the little things - like an unexpected ride home from work, or fresh home baking, or something as simple as a hug - and how we should always show our appreciation for everything that comes our way;
About recognizing, hopefully every day, how important our families are to us and how they encourage and motivate us to be better.
This year I am reminded, for some reason more so than other years, just how important family members are and how much they mean to me. Perhaps it's age - and, to be honest, it's something I may have taken for granted in the past.
Chances are you, too, can think of many things you're thankful for within your own family. So while we enjoy a few more days of leftover turkey, it's good to think of the things we have. And how they pave the way for the future.
Cam Tait is a sports reporter for the Edmonton Journal. He covered charitable issues for almost 20 years. Thoughts, comments, ideas or a simple hello are welcomed at cam@charityvillage.com.
Opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CharityVillage.com®.
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