CLICK HERE FOR BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND MYSPACE LAYOUTS »

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Reasons To Be Thankful!

We don’t have a Thanksgiving celebration here in the UK which I always think is such a pity. It’s a good idea to take some time every now and then to think about the things we’re thankful for, the things that bring us such happiness every day. With that thought in mind, over the past couple of weeks I compiled a list of the things that make me happy - the things, big and small, that I’m thankful for on a daily basis. And with thanks to the late, great and much-missed Ian Dury, whose song ‘Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3’ inspired me, here it is. Enjoy!

Fresh fruit smoothies.
Sinatra sings the bluesies.
Gene Kelly movies, his magic never dies.
Bees that bumble.
A rummage through the jumble.
The scent of apple crumble and hot mince pies.

Saturday brunch.
Sunday lunch!
A pretty pub garden where the sun’s always bright.
A country lane.
Sussex after rain.
Crisp autumn leaves and golden light.

‘Ashes to Ashes.’
Birthday bashes.
A bit of Tony Bennet and ‘Fly Me To The Moon.'
Scat sung by Ella.
A cuddle from my fella.
Dr Who with David Tennant. Bugs Bunny cartoons!

My son playing tennis.
Dennis the Menace!
Cakes from the oven and a nice cup of tea.
A good white wine.
That spaniel of mine!
Friends that I love, and who love me.

My daughter singing.
Church bells ringing.
A book at the beginning and a walk by the sea.
A sandwich with alfalfa.
Cheering on Rafa!
(He’s given us a fright, but he’s still our Number One!)

Toms and mozzarella,
Molto bella!
Italian food for ever – yum, yum, yum!
Music up loud.
Kids making me proud.
Six arms round my middle and ‘we love you, Mum!’

Much more that I’ve missed,
There’s too much to list!
So now I’m saying ‘thank you,’ cos I know that I should.
Yes, I’m confessing,
I’m counting my blessings.
All’s right with my world, and everything is good.


If you’d like to hear Ian Dury and The Blockheads singing ‘Reasons To Be Cheerful,’ there’s a wonderful You Tube video here. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

16 comments:

Lindsay Townsend said...

Wonderful, Jane! Your poem was so cheerful and so sensitive I had a happy blub in front of my computer.

Happy UK Thanksgiving - Happy USA Thanksgiv8ing!

I agree about the festival - bonfire night isn't the same as Thanksgiving. We could do with something over here in the UK.

I love Ian Dury, too! In fact my reasons were also inspired by his song. Great minds think alike!

Unknown said...

JANE--you can have your own Thanksgiving Day! Maybe you'll start a new tradition. I love the words to the song--Of course, it reads like a poem, and I read every word. So beautiful and thoughtful--grateful for the little things in life--Love you--Celia

Jane Richardson said...

Thanks Lindsay! Happy blubs are the best kind! I saw Ian Dury and the Blockheads many years ago in Edinburgh, absolutely the best live band I ever saw. I've been humming that song all day!

Jane x

Jane Richardson said...

Hiya Celia! You know, I think I'll do that! Tomorrow I'll do a mini=project with the kids, and get them thinking about what they're thankful for too. I hope you have a super day - always just lovely to see you!

Jane x

LK Hunsaker said...

This is wonderful, Jane! Love it!

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving even if it isn't an official holiday in the UK. ;-)

Keena Kincaid said...

Oh, Jane, what a fabulous and fun post! I love it, and it reminds me of all the little things that I'm grateful for. One thing that never ceases to make me grateful: A warm breeze on a sunny, autumn day. I don't know why, but it always makes me lift my face to the sun and give thanks for the blessing of being alive.

Jane Richardson said...

Thanks, LK, and the same to you. :) Have a wonderful day!

Jane Richardson said...

I love sunny autumn days too, Keena, just feeling the sun on your face is an instant lift, isn't it? That little poem could have gone on and on - once I started counting my blessings, the list just got longer and longer! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. :)

Jane x

Kathleen O said...

What a great poem Jane.. We celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada, but just in a different month..always the 2nd Monday in October... But I think we celebrate everyday for which we are thankful for. So if you need a speical day to be Thankful, just pick one and have turkey with all the trimming, or what ever you want..

So Happy Thanksgiving to all of those around the world..

Jane Richardson said...

Hi Kathleen - you are so right. 'Thanksgiving' is a state of mind, isn't it? You can celebrate the gifts in life at any time, and doing it with all the trimmings to make a very special day is even nicer. :)

Jane x

Linda Banche said...

Wow, you're better at this than I am, Jane. I can't make anything rhyme to save my life. Happy Thanksgiving!

Savanna Kougar said...

Jane, wow, utterly lovely. I needed that big ole' smile.
Thanksgiving is a state of mind and I think it's something to celebrate, also, as in a holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

Bekki Lynn said...

Savanna's right, Jane. Thanksgiving is a state of mind.

Start it now and hopefully your kids will carry it on and from there it'll spread even if it doesn't become an official holiday.

I love family traditions.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jane Richardson said...

Thanks, Linda, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your!

Jane x

Jane Richardson said...

Savanna, right on all counts - a celebration AND a holiday, which is pretty good all round! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,

Jane x

Jane Richardson said...

Bekki, I love family traditions too, and yes, I think I'm about to start a new one in the Richardson household! Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. :)

Jane x