In a conversation with a friend a day or two ago she remarked that she didn’t think there was much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. And given the global situation it is not difficult to see or understand her feelings. Certainly this year has been one of the most difficult and unsettling that I’ve experienced in my 73 years. However that has meant that at this traditional time to consider what we have been given and expressing our thanks I have had to dig a little deeper in counting my blessings.
I discovered that they are as many today as they were in years past. I have a loving spouse; I wake up each day to the crazy antics of the Hounds from Hell; there are people whom I love and who I am loved by; I live in a fine place in a great country; my home is comfortable; I eat well; and my health is better than one expects of someone of my age. But the list doesn’t end there.
If anything there are more things that I have reason to give thanks for this year than in other years. Unlike 37 million other people I have stayed healthy. Only one person I know has been infected with COVID-19. I live in a relatively safe area and precautions were put in place early. By-and-large the people around me respect and take those precautions. We have only had 61 cases here on the Island with no deaths and no hospitalizations. I live in a country where my government is taking the threat seriously. My government is attempting to create programmes (no always successfully but at least the attempts are made) to lessen the impact of the situation on our citizens. We now have the capability of staying in touch with people almost instantaneously. These are, to my mind, a few things to give thanks for.
Lest I come across as a Pollyanna or, even worse, an Anne Shirley I am aware that things are, to understate, not as they were in other years. However this is a time set aside to count our blessing and to acknowledge them. And to give thanks!
Another word for October 12 is:
Blessings \ˈble-siŋ\ [plural noun]
1.1 Things conducive to happiness or welfare
1.2 The acts or words of one that blesses
Old English blēdsian, blētsian, based on blōd ‘blood’ (i.e. originally perhaps ‘mark or consecrate with blood’). The meaning was influenced by its being used to translate Latin benedicere ‘to praise, worship’, and later by association with bliss.
Willy Or Won't He 
Thanks Will for reminding us that we are blessed. We just have to stop and think about it. Living in Canada is blessing enough.
You’re absolutely right, Willym! And I agree with Uncle Pervy too — simply living in Canada is blessing enough. We could be living in some hell hole of a war zone like Syria.
Dear Willym, coming to you tonight to tell you I am going to make a link to your blog and this very deep and moving text you wrote about ‘counting my blessings’ .
I shook myself up for the 2nd part of lockdown here and will start a ‘new leaf’ following your steps …( No kids around tonight for ‘Trick or Treat’…)
Dearest Yvette
Holding you in my close in my thoughts.
Fondest
Willym