Thanksgiving is an American holiday steeped in romanticism. The holiday, as we know it in the 21st century, began with a proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln. In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November as a national day of Thanksgiving, intending to unite the nation. The holiday is all about gratitude. And so, this week, Tina hosts the challenge. She writes, “Gratitude, of course, should be practiced much more frequently. So today we’d like you to focus on those things for which you are most grateful.” You can read her entire challenge post here.
I should have been grateful that I was even born from day one. When I was born, my oldest siblings were on their own, and my oldest brother already had a son over two years my senior. I was an uncle from the day of my birth.
One of the family events that I look forward to every year is our family reunion. Since the late 1990s, we have started an annual tradition of meeting in one of the siblings’ host cities. The photo above was captured in 2002 at my youngest sister’s place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. That’s me in the upper left, standing next to my sister, Veronica. She and I are the only two siblings left. I am eternally grateful that I could join this family as late as I was to the party.
I am grateful for my life partner of well over 50 years now. She and I have been on many adventures, especially since we retired and started traveling.
I am grateful for two children who grew up to be solid and responsible in their own lives.
I’m grateful for my grandson, who grows taller every time I see him. I was in the back seat this year when he took his first official flying lesson with a flight instructor.
That reminds me of something else I am grateful for. In 1996, on a whim, I took my first flying lesson. That introduction led me to a volunteer career as a pilot in the Civil Air Patrol. I am grateful for all of the friendships borne of volunteer service.
Over the years, I have made many friends, but only a few people with whom I share a special bond of friendship. Fred and I met through social media in a photography group. Over the years, we have enjoyed many adventures exploring nature, wandering around cities, and visiting museums, all with our trusty cameras.
After my retirement in late 2011, Lynn and I started to travel. In March 2013, I started writing Journeys with Johnbo to document our travels. Over the years, I’ve made it a point to connect with other bloggers in person. In 2022, Lynn and I met for breakfast with three bloggers I’ve followed. Click on their names in the caption to visit their respective blogs.
Shortly after starting my blog, I began following a blogger who lives in South Africa. From Dries’s posts, the germ of an idea, an African Photo Safari, began. I know that journey would never have happened had I not started following Dries and his beautiful wildlife photos. Click on his name in the caption to see for yourself.
I am genuinely grateful for our meetups with bloggers and especially grateful for my association with the Lens Artists team. I had planned to make this post short, but as they say, it’s too late now. I am grateful if you are still reading this post.
Last week, Patti hosted the challenge “In the Details.” Next week, it’s Ann-Christine’s turn to host. Be sure to follow her blog here so you will receive a notification of her challenge post at noon Eastern Time on Saturday. If you’d like to join in with your own challenge responses but aren’t sure how to get started, click here.
John Steiner
Journeys with Johnbo 
Thanks, GP! Happy Thanksgiving!
Lovely post John. You have a wonderful fulfilling life, but I sense you have the attitude that you just see the best in everything. That is the way to true gratitude.
There are no good reasons to not see the best in everything and everyone… well, maybe politicians are an exception. >grin<
I love how you approach this challenge – people we meet and share our lives with are the most important thing. Kudos to you for pointing that out
Thanks, Ritva! I’m glad for Tina’s challenge as it allowed me to share the importance of family and friends.
❤
A lovely post. And it’s great that you highlight the delight of meeting fellow-bloggers. Isn’t that a special way of making new connections?
It was a surprising and welcome side benefit to being a blogger, Margaret!
Absolutely!
What a beautiful statement of gratitude John! Family, friends and a passionate hobby that has led to more friends are truly things to be grateful for.
Thanks, Anne! My retirement years have truly been blessed!
😊
Family and friends. Nothing better. Thanks for sharing the picture of the blogging meetup, John, and also the one from Africa. I’ve been following Dries’ blog for a long time and would love someday to get down and do the trip you just did. But thanks for letting me put a face to the name. Aren’t we fortunate to have such a wonderful community?
janet
We are indeed fortunate. I never thought that my penchant for writing and photography would reap such powerful rewards.
This is a wise and heartwarming tribute to life, gratitude, and living fully John. I admire that you’ve reached out to other bloggers in person and made the most of your retirement. I would like to do similar now that I’m retired.
It’s helpful that we have traveling partners in my niece and her husband… helpful in that they often suggest trips that I wouldn’t have considered. Of course, Lynn and I do the same.
Whenever we can, we try to contact bloggers I follow when I know we are traveling near where they live. It’s always fun to meet in person with those whom you only know by their writings and photography.
It seems having traveling partners helps with motivation and logistics.
A lovely post focusing on the people in your life, from family to friends, including a few bloggers I recognise!
Thanks, Sarah! I hope to meet many more of my blogging colleagues during my travels.
A beautiful post John and so lovely you have met up with fellow bloggers too 😊
Thanks, Xenia!
What a lovely post, John! The family and friends you built through the years are lucky to have you in their circles.
What a nice compliment, Egidio! Thank you. We tried an in-person meet-up, but the timing wasn’t right. We’ll have to make that happen!
It’ll happen, John.
This is a lovely post!
Thanks, Nora!
Terrific post John and a lovely insight into your life and those people and things that are most special to you. Many we’ve talked about but the photos of your family were special to me as we’d talked about them when we met. And of course I knew about your love of flying and I’m so happy to see your grandson sharing it! How special for you. And finally, who knew you were the baby of the family by a long shot!! You must have had some wonderful role models growing up! Loved your response this week!
Oh, John. Right from the start of our planning your visit to South Africa I told you excited and grateful I was to finally be meeting you in person and showing you a tiny piece of our country. I still feel the same now that the trip has come to an end and I am grateful for the knowledge that I’ll always be able to count you among my friends!
Thank you, Dries! You know the feeling is mutual.
This is such a lovely post, John. You always have a different take on the challenges and this week I loved you focused on the people in your life.
Thanks, Sofia!
My favourite post of yours, John – so far! I loved reading about your gratitude to friends and family. How you met and made friends and keep them. And, how great your grandson is taking up flying – that must feel so good for you! A wonderful take on.
Great photos, great thoughts, great family. 👏
Thanks, John!
This is a lovely post, John. We are glad you were born, too. You have accomplished so much in your life! It’s fun to look back and remember all the experiences you’ve had. And you keep piling them on. The trip to S. Africa being evidence of your zest for life. I’m so glad you were able to go. I was surprised to see our pictures. We have had a great time in our blogger meetups. We have become such good friends. I love it! Speaking of gratitude, your son looks a lot like you. Have a wonderful week and great Thanksgiving. It’s been fun to hear from Lynn. Talk to you all soon. 🙂 xxxxx
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Vince, as well!
I didn’t realize when I started blogging that we would make so many friends and acquaintances.
I know, it’s been such an exciting adventure.