Giving Thanks

I know "Thanksgiving" is officially over, but I ran across this article online today, 10 Reasons to be Thankful, and thought to myself, "What a great time to be reading something positive!" My next thought, of course, was to share it in my blog. It's good to take a few moments in our daily lives (especially these days) to contemplate the many things we really do have to be grateful for. As is quite obvious to anyone who has read my past blog entries, I'm so grateful to be living in a place like Chico. (See "Stepford Chico?") Friends and I were just discussing that at a busy, sunny Chico Farmer's Market last Saturday. I'm also very thankful for the family I was lucky enough to be born into (see lovely photo of Mom and Dad above, taken in '05 at that very same Farmer's Market) and for the great friends and clients I've met in the 26 years I've lived here (as well as longtime friends from earlier times). What are the top three on your list of 10 Reasons?

Run for Food

Because I was in Healdsburg enjoying our annual family "Thanksmas" (combination of Thanksgiving and Christmas) celebration at the lovely home of our gracious hosts sister Becky and her handsome hubby Steve (talk about FOOD!), I missed the 3rd annual "Run for Food" event held in Bidwell Park. How proud I was of our generous Chicoans when I read an online article in the Chico E-R about the success of the run! More than 2,600 runners pre-paid the $25 to $30 fee to make the five-kilometer run, and apparently about twice that number ended up participating, resulting in over $65,000 raised to help the Jesus Center in their ongoing efforts to feed those in need. Over the years, my fellow Soroptimist of Chico members and I have taken turns volunteering to serve meals at the Jesus Center, sometimes enlisting the help of our children (which I felt was a very valuable few hours spent with mine), and I have always come away feeling a renewed gratitude for my family, friends, home and the many gifts I enjoy in life. And isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about anyway? Happy holiday season to you and yours!