Monday is the Thanksgiving holiday in Canada. We celebrate before the US, not to be different but because the weather is better. It is easier to be thankful when you are not dealing with a blizzard.

Saturday was the day chosen for our family feast, which my wife and I hosted. Today I was part of a crew cooking breakfast at our church, so I didn’t want the stress of a family meal afterward. And Monday seems too close to the work week. Even though I am officially retired, I have yet to shed the rhythm of work.

In some ways I had it easy yesterday. My sister offered to bring the turkey and trimmings. All I had to worry about was everything else, which was mostly vegetables, six different types if my memory is correct.

Plus a roast ham, salad, rolls and dessert for 14 people. Probably a few other things that are escaping my mind right now. While many people find making such a meal stressful, if I can do it at my own pace I rather enjoy it.

The idea of a Thanksgiving holiday is to express gratitude to God for the harvest and the other blessings we have received. That’s why the big feast.

My wife likes to ask everyone around the table to name one thing they are thankful for. (She asks at other times too.) It is a reminder to count our blessings at a time when it is too easy to complain.

At this Thanksgiving the first thing that came to my mind was sunsets.

In 2025 we moved up in life while downsizing. From a town house we moved to an apartment on the 20th floor of a nearby building. In doing so we rediscovered the beauty of the sunset. You see it differently when you are up high.

Each evening we see a different light show as the sun goes down. Reds, yellows, oranges and pinks in different combinations. It doesn’t seem to ever get old.

For that, I am thankful.

What are you thankful for today?