It's easier to be thankful in a year that has not dropped a cruel death or hardship on you. Those years it can be good to accept this one will stink a bit, take an inventory of past Thanksgivings, and be glad you had them.
Thanks for the thread, by the way, it is causing my head is filling up with wonderful images of the 7 or 8 really good ones. Some are just nice big family, warm pies memories, full of dear flushed faces.
But my sentimental favorite involved getting sprung for just 1 day from 12-hour shifts on a drilling rig in cold weather, and from the hotel which had lost hot water, and meeting long-separated family just for one day. Being so glad my old & sick Dad got to come see where I worked. Putting the pool table up and covering it with orange sheets to handle the crowd. Pitching in on a variety of traditional foods from 3-4 cultures. (I think those ones where one person slaves in the kitchen ought be banned). Having great 'crack' with some guests, a family of Rhodesians who had just been fired and were heading home horribly dejected, but we weren't listening when they told us their backstory, so we just had fun and so did they, they were so glad for once people weren't pitying them but just enjoying being together. And NO FREAKIN' FOOTBALL!
This year, glad I am in better touch with some dear people than I was last year. For new projects that give me a vague sense of hope I haven't had every year. Glad there's still a matriarch who wants to make all the loads of stuff even if she won't let us help. Greatful the tree drops riches of pecans. For clean air and sunny days. For the pesky little dogs and cats that make us smile so much. For music that's always been there like a friend, and people to sing with.