“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that
the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

-  John Fitzgerald Kennedy
(22 May 1923 - 22 Nov 1963)

Thursday, November 25, 1965 - Actor Dougray Scott was born in Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland.

Thursday, November 25, 1965 - Pianist Dame Myra Hess, DBE (born 25 Feb 1890 in London) died at the age of 75.

   Thank you so much, John Darlin'! Paul is doing far better now, but it was very scary for a while, especially on Friday when we realized how very, very close we came to losing him. The nasty infection picked the worst possible place to attack him. Obviously, we have much more to be thankful for this year!

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"You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry. Don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way."

- Walter Hagen

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Top 10 Reasons College Students Look Forward To Thanksgiving Break

10. You'll know that your turkey is a Butterball rather than a Grade E yet semi-edible fur ball.

9. Your mother will not be serving your mashed potatoes and stuffing with an ice cream scooper.

8. Pumpkin pie is a great alternative to green jello.

7. After your eighth glass of cider, your emergency dash to the bathroom will not be delayed by having to line the seat with toilet paper.

6. Clean underwear, comfortable bed, access to a car, bedroom larger than a 12x14 cell... OK, even if it is for only four days.

5. To eat your meals, the only trek you'll have to make is from the couch to the kitchen, rather than the dorm to the dining hall...in below freezing weather.

4. Instead of listening to "when I first started teaching here..." you can be entertained by "when your mother was your age..." and "during the Depression we weren't lucky enough to have brussels sprouts. Heck, all we could afford was the sprout!"

3. You can eat your corn steamed with butter rather than popped in your microwave.

2. You'll know the hair in the shower drain is your own.

1. You won't be eating your Thanksgiving meal off a tray!

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"Warner Brothers announced that it wants to remake 'The Wizard of Oz.' This version is going to be totally updated for 2010. For instance, each of the flying monkeys has to be patted down and go through a body scanner before they can take off."

-Jimmy Fallon

                           ***

"In a survey of 35 cities, Los Angeles ranked second-to-last in intelligence. Residents of L.A. were outraged after the report was slowly explained to them."

- Conan O'Brien

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"Police in San Diego are looking for a 78-year-old bank robber they have nicknamed the 'Geezer Bandit.' Victims of the Geezer Bandit's last robbery say he threatened to tell them stories of his grandkids."

- Craig Ferguson

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Miracles.... They Sometimes Happen

My daughter was in the hospital this past week. She is 24 and has had several problems over the last several years, including a tumor in her neck that was removed successfully 2 years ago.

She has two beautiful sons ages four and five. I have been really mad at God for what I considered to be Him picking on her. She has lots of faith and teaches Sunday school.

Well, it turns out she was also born with a twisted kidney. I'm not sure how many of her doctors knew about it all these years but at least one of them did. The diagnosis was they would go in and put stints in both kidneys and her bladder. This has to be repeated every few years or so.

We were devastated. She has been through so much and now this. I had to get outside; I was so mad at God right then I didn't know what to do.

There was a really nice lady I talked to. She informed me that it wasn't God picking on her; it was the devil's work. She asked me to pray with her. I was really skeptical but thought what could it hurt?

This lady, her children and I prayed for a miracle (I didn't really expect one).

Jessica's surgery was scheduled for the next day. Now mind you, for four long days I watched my baby girl cry and take 30 minutes to go to the bathroom. The doctor put the stints in and took them right back out. Somehow she didn't need them anymore!

When he came out to tell me how things went he seemed rather puzzled. He said I can't explain it; she needed then yesterday but now she doesn't. I knew immediately!

Even though I had little faith God decided my child needed a miracle!  What a joyful day!  Even if you don't believe in miracles they sometimes happen.

When she woke up, I told her she had someone to thank and it wasn't the doctor, she smiled and said "I know that!"

Today she is home with those beautiful boys and my faith has been restored. God watches over us even when we lose our faith, and sometimes he reminds us how great He really is!

~A MountainWings Original by Holly Harkey, Doniphan, MO~

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True Value

I am part of a team which manages a retirement community in India. During the course of my work, I have the opportunity to interact with seniors of various ages. There is one elderly gentleman admired by all of us who also happens to be the oldest resident (91 Years) in our community.

He seemed to have everything in life; he has several children, grand children and great grand children all of whom are leading lights of the society in different parts of the world following different professions. He has beautiful properties. He enjoys a smoke occasionally, is in excellent health, has perfect hearing, vision and is referred to as a medical miracle by our community doctor.

During a recent chat when I remarked that he seemed to be doing very well for himself, he opened up my eyes to what is really important in life... he said,

"I didn't have some of the most important things in this lifetime. When I was four years old my father passed away (you know how important parental relationships are to children). My childhood was spent with an abusive grandfather, post-education I spent a major part of my life working, earning and providing for my large family. Just after retirement when I thought there are a few years ahead of me when I can spend some quality time with my wonderful wife - she passed away.

"As I grew older, more fragile and felt like spending time with my children and grandchildren, I realized that not one of them lives within the country. To cap all of the above, God has kept me alive to the age of 91, unheard of in my family, to lead a lonely life."


I knew that this was a MountainWings Moment... it showed me the true value of things around us. These days, I spend more time than before with my one-year-old daughter. I show more love and affection towards my parents, go for long walks with my wife, and have moved into a quieter, calmer home next to a large wooded park. I know now that at the end of my lifetime these are the memories which I would want to cherish and hold on to.

~A MountainWings Original by Rajesh Shankar, India~

   Thanks so much, Shari! Get well soon!

By Paula Gregorowicz
 

Before you know it Thanksgiving will be upon us. We will sit down once again with our families (biological and/or chosen) and gorge upon a feast until we need to unbutton our jeans and snooze on the couch. Thanksgiving officially launches what people refer to as "The Holiday Season" which means it is the beginning of what is often the most stressful time of the year. I'm here to tell you - it doesn't have to be that way! Consider these top tips and you can enjoy your meal without all the stress and heartburn.

Keep It in Perspective
It's just a meal. It is a chance to be with people you care about. It is not a contest nor is it a measure of your personal worth. Lives do not hang in the balance. So, take the pressure off of yourself! If you're hosting the meal, nothing has to be perfect. No one really cares and if someone is that filled with criticism, it is their issue, not yours; chances are nothing you do could please them anyway.

Pace Yourself
Start now. Don't wait until the last minute when everyone with a pulse is roaming the grocery stores like predators on a hunt. If you can buy ahead of time - do it. Even better is to buy local and from the little guy. Then you not only know where your food is coming from but you support local farmers as well. Give yourself permission to ask for help where you need it whether it is assistance cleaning or having guests bring a dish to share.

Mind Your Budget
While Thanksgiving is not nearly as bad as Christmas when it comes to breaking the budget, it is still important to be mindful of your money. Now is not the time for the finest wine known to man (unless you have a family of oenophiles) and you most definitely don't need a 30lb. turkey to feed a half dozen people. Take it from someone who once made 10lb of potatoes for 6 guests -- people can only eat and drink so much in one day.

Focus on What Matters
The whole point behind gathering at Thanksgiving is just that -- to give thanks. Keep an attitude of gratitude and reflection in the forefront of all you do. If you can do that, you will effortlessly flow as little petty things crop up. If I can survive a call to Roto-Rooter (backed up sewer) the first time we ever hosted our families for Thanksgiving, you too can cruise through the bumps in the road.

Experience People as They Are
You're not going to change anyone. It's a fact. The same quirks and pitfalls you've experienced from the same people year after year are not going to suddenly vanish. If you love them, enjoy them for who they are and don't let them push your buttons. If you feel your angst rising, pretend that you are watching the day unfold as if it were a movie on a screen. It'll allow you to be an observer and be present to the day without all the drama.

Remember Moderation
You don't need to eat like you've never seen food before. There will be leftovers and you shall be fed. While I'm not suggesting you deny yourself or follow the strictest of diets on this day, overeating is a sure fire way to feeling lousy physically and emotionally. Enjoy the food, the drink, and the goodies but do so consciously knowing you get to choose how you feel.

Savor the Moment
Tomorrow is promised to no one. Celebrate who you are and those around you on this day because you never know if you'll have the opportunity to gather together next time around. This tip isn't meant to depress you or make you anxious about the future - just the opposite. If we are fully present in the moment and share how we really feel with those we care about we get to live a life free of regrets no matter what tomorrow brings.

About the Author:

Paula Gregorowicz, owner of The Paula G. Company, works with women with women who feel angry & frustrated with having to compromise who they are in order to get what they want. She coaches them to learn how to be comfortable in their own skin anytime, anywhere so they can live life by their own design and remain true to their personal integrity. To learn more visit her website at http://www.thepaulagcompany.com.