Today I want to share with you the Thanksgiving Blessing of Gratitude my family asked me to come up with for the family gathering since Ellen (my wife) and I could not be there.  My father Bob died last year but as you will see he is still here for us in spirit.

I hope you like it.

 Steve G.

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As the family gathers together today let each of us think of all the things we are grateful for this past year . . . Remembering the visits and conversations we’ve all shared; the ups and downs, the difficulties and successes.  In the face of it all, an attitude of gratitude will move us continually forward, our higher power delicately guiding us toward solutions, inviting us to turn our pain and problems over and let go.  Our family has so much to be grateful for.  We’re sure that Bob’s Spirit is with us today, smiling down upon his family.  And although all of us can’t be together physically we are all together in spirit of family—and as Bob might say; Family is EVERYTHING. 

We’re grateful for all the time with Mom this past year and all the fun and humor from a year with Duke.  We’re grateful that 2811 continues to echo with the sound of the “little faces” laughter and delightful noise.  Our family is rich in so many ways – when we focus on what is wrong or what we don’t have, we forget that lots of people never have an opportunity to experience what we share.  Before we start eating we would like to have each person share the one thing they are most grateful for this past year.

I (Steve) am grateful for the opportunity to share in the gathering at 2811 and other places by email so all of the Grinstead family can be together in spirit with an “ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE.”

I (Ellen) am grateful for the love and acceptance the Grinstead’s have given me over the years; always a daughter – never a daughter-in-law.  That’s means so much to me, especially this year.

 Happy Thanksgiving to One and All!