So much to be thankful for
It’s Thanksgiving Day here in the United States, and The Legal Genealogist has so much to be thankful for.
So very much, in fact, that it’s hard to know where to begin.
I am thankful for this amazing community we have of genealogists around the world, many of whom have been my mentors over the years and so many of whom have become friends.
I’m thankful for all those who’ve gone before us, blazing the trails of methodology and scholarship, teaching, training, encouraging us to be the very best we can be as researchers.
I’m thankful for those who’ve fought to keep records open for us to use and to preserve the records where we may find the clues we need. For those with the foresight to think up the Preserve the Pensions campaign. Those who digitize books and original documents. Those who collect and archive and preserve and protect.
I’m thankful for all the genealogical societies that have opened their doors and their hearts to me and to all of us who love to share what we know… and for all that each and every one of them has taught me in return.
I’m thankful for all the amazing tools we have — our computers, our mobile devices, the internet, DNA testing — to help us break down the brick walls in our quests to find our ancestors.
I am so very thankful for my big, bold, brash and utterly frustrating family of ancestors who just insist on constantly playing hide and seek.
And I am so very thankful for my big, bold, brash and utterly wonderful modern family — brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins by the dozens — and the security that comes with knowing that someone always, always, has my back.
I’m so very thankful for the new babies and not-so-little-anymore boys and girls who are bringing us such joy as they swell the ranks of the family.
I’m even thankful through my tears that some of my cousins — my dearly loved cousins Dick and Susan — have found eternal peace this year, free from the cancer that ravaged their bodies. I’m thankful for the years I had them… and will try not to be bitter that they are no longer where I can give them a hug.
I’m thankful for being safe and warm, with a roof over my head and clothes on my back and food on my table … and even kitty food in the kitty dishes. I am thankful for two fur balls who let me live with them as long as I pay the mortgage, clean their litter boxes and feed them twice a day.
I’m thankful for what I have of health, wealth and wisdom.
For friends near and far.
For just making it through another year, to another Thanksgiving Day.
Happy Thanksgiving, folks.
And above all, we’re thankful for you and your continued sharing on the topics of law, DNA, and your amazing family. Although my family is more interesting, IMHO!
Thanks for the kind words, Suzanne — and I’m glad YOU think your family is more interesting! It’d be a bummer if you thought they were boring!
One of the things I’m thankful for is the cousins I’ve met because of my genealogy habit. I think you said you were planning to be on the road today. Please be especially careful and if you are already at your destination or if you arrive there later, please give my love to those are also my family—and those who aren’t because they are close to my family members. Have a wonderful day today!
Right back at you, cousin of mine! Hope you and yours are all happy and healthy!
Judy, my oldest daughter is having 35 people at her house for a sit-down dinner later this afternoon, and I will be one of them! All I have to do is bring a couple of salads and some lovely spiced nuts for an appetizer, along with serving utensils! She took this on several years ago and it has increased in size every year. I thinking she’s looking for a respite next year, but I’m grateful for every year she has done this.
Wonderful! Give all my cousins a hug for me… and have them give you a special one for me too!
And Thank You for your willing help, for the great stories, for the emotional testimonials, the continual teaching you so freely dispense. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Annick
Thanks so much, Annick! Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving too!
I just felt the overwhelming urge to give you a verbal hug! Thank you today, for your lovely expression of all we genealogists have to be thankful for. As a faithful reader, I add the Legal Genealogist blog to my list. Warm wishes to you & yours.
Thanks so much for that virtual hug, Christine, and one right back to you!