I think Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. No gifts to buy, no major decorating required, just preparation of wonderful good food with lots of family and friends. Most of all, I like the idea of setting aside a special holiday to celebrate being thankful. But then, I am all about gratitude.
If you listen to people around you, you will hear plenty of complaining. People complain about traffic and work, relationships and money, time and anything else they can think of. I find listening to complaints really drags me down. Although I am not a Pollyanna, I try to look on the bright side.
To be honest, on this Thanksgiving, I am quite sad. One of my best friends died last week, and the two of us have been going out together for Thanksgiving dinner for years, since my husband died. I am grieving, but I am thankful for the years we had together, and thankful to be driving to Mercer to be with my brother and his family, where I am always welcomed. I miss my late husband terribly, along with the two 25 pound turkeys we used to make for a throng of family and friends every year. Although I am sad, I am grateful that we had such a loving relationship and welcoming home that we made so many people feel included and loved for 30 years.
This Thanksgiving, may I suggest that you look around you and focus on all that is good in your life? Be thankful for the small things that really aren't so small: a roof over your head, food on the table, people who love you, a warm bed to sleep in each night, a job to make money and provide service for others. Those essentials are denied to many people who live in this world. When you look at the world through grateful eyes, you will see your blessings multiplied.
Happy Thanksgiving! Please share your thankful thoughts with others around you, and make 2017 Thanksgiving a day of spoken and shared blessings. .
As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.
Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school. if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with a group called Field Trip Zoom. www.Fieldtripzoom.com GRADY GETS GLASSES was the winner of Best New Children's Book 2016 from The Authors' Zone. For more information about The Authors' Zone, please visit http://www.theauthorszone.com/submissions/
Visit Dede's webpage for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER. Many colleges have made the book required reading. Signed copies are available www.dederittman.com Dede is also a national speaker on The Three C's for Classroom success: Confidence, communication, and Creativity; Avoiding Teacher burnout; and many other inspirational topics.
I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books. Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self. However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37 years. I remain inspired!
Elementary teachers in Western Pennsylvania and beyond - I am willing to come into your classroom in person or as a virtual field trip through a group called Field Trip Zoom. Check them out! http://www.fieldtripzoom.com/
Teacher friends- let me know if you want me to read GRADY GETS GLASSES at your school. I am willing to come in to discuss the creative writing process, why writing is important, and personal fulfillment through writing, along with reading my book. I would appreciate the exposure, and I would make signed copies available for purchase in your classrooms following the reading. Please email me at dederittman@gmail.com The website www.gradygetsglasses.com now has plush Grady bunnies for sale!
Please like Dede's new page Grady Gets Glasses for updates about her children's book. https://www.facebook.com/gradygetsglasses?ref=hl
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