The ghosts and goblins are gone.

It's not too early to be cognizant of the blessings we individually and collectively enjoy. As I was reading ClayCounty's post about her young, pregnant friend, I found myself feeling truly appreciative of the freedoms I take pleasure in:

►The freedom to express an idea.

►The freedom to read what I want to read without censorship from my government.

►The freedom to worship in the house of  my choosing or no house, under a starry night sky.

►The freedom to make a decision about my body.

►The freedom to travel wherever I want to go.

There are things I like to do:

►I like being able to write a Letter to the Editor.

►I like having a perspective and not being afraid to communicate that perspective to others around me.

►I like volunteering in my community and feeling an ownership to a quality of life we enjoy.

Then there are things I am sincerely thankful for:

►I am appreciative of being able to enjoy the sweet fragrance of a gardenia or a rose.

►I love a warm hug from a good friend, the sounds of waves crashing on the shore, and the smell of bread baking in the oven on a cold winter's night.

►I think one of the things I cherish most is the sound of my children's laughter...their deep, bubbly, gurgling sounds of joyful expression is music to my ears.

►I cherish the moments of genuine communication with my family. Those moments ground and uplift me. Money can't buy it.

There's more, so much more. But I don't want to hog cyberspace. I'll leave some room and open it up for individual interpretation. I invite you to pause and think about the grace that is in your life today and share it with us. Let's not skip over Thanksgiving to get to Christmas. Christmas will come quickly enough. Let's savor a state of being thankful.

A Verb is an action word.