As I sat down today to finalize my shopping list for Thanksgiving dinner, my mind wondered off to another list that I felt I should work on some. 

 

Some might think that 2014 was a "thankless" year for my family.  And it has been a tough one.  But my glass is still half full and I am very optimistic. Yes, my son will be going away for a period of time - the result of a mistake that my son owned up to.  But I thought about my friend who cautioned me to think about her son, who is gone forever and that she will not see again.  

 

Then, I thought about the hard fought campaign that we staged and lost.  But what a wonderful experience it was and I am so thankful for all the new people we met and all those wonderful friends who came forward to help us. My son has been diagnosed with that awful "C" word, but according to tests and doctors he is in remission and will be enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with our family.  My stepson's health is failing but he remains the most cheerful individual I know.

So 2014 was really not that bad for me. We enjoyed a wonderful trip to Spain. My daughter who observed her one year wedding anniversary is still sparkling with happiness.  My other daughter continues to work hard and enjoy the benefits of a very successful business. My sister continues on the road to recovery and my baby sister is enjoying her retirement as she takes care of our great niece. My brother is able to come back from Florida to visit us almost monthly and his family is great as he enjoys being a grandfather. 

 

What a wonderful feeling it is to know that three of my grandchildren are in college and doing well. It seems that my grandson has finally found himself and is enjoying his new employment. It has been rumored that 2015 may make me a great-grandmother. With such a positive family, how can I not be thankful.

Never would I have ever dreamed that I could live in this beautiful home, with such great neighbors and be able to entertain my friends and family and to welcome my friends to my front porch.  Don't get me wrong, I still love my East View but who would have thought that the little girl who walked barefoot on the damp blacktop and played in the saw mill would one day have this address. My great husband makes this all possible for me.

I am certainly appreciative that the "Grapevine" provides so much pleasure for so many after all these years. I am proud to be the Grapevine Lady. My cookbook Arriverdici continues to sell and provides funding for scholarships to honor my parents.

With all this to be thankful for how would I possibly dwell on just a few events that happened this year.

There is so much more that I am thankful for; being able to enjoy the sunrise and the sunset; reading a good book; for being able to attend church daily;  for good health for my husband and me.  I could fill this column in several times with what I am thankful for.

As I gather in my home on Thanksgiving surrounded by about 20 members of my family, I will bow my head in silence and thank God for all the blessings he has bestowed on me and the strength he has given me to accept whatever is in store. I bet that my half full glass will be filled on this day and I will be armed with the ammunition I need to face 2015.

My message to you is that as you gather this Thanksgiving Day, I urge you to fill your hearts with thanksgiving and enjoy those you are surrounded by. A Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers and your families.

Keep in touch and until next week "Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine."