Nov 26, 2009 By Herald Standard Staff 3 min read

Dear Readers: Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. We hope you are fortunate enough to be spending the holiday with loving family and friends. We also hope you have remembered those who are alone today and would love to be part of your family on this occasion. If you weren’t able to accommodate extra guests this year, please mark a reminder on your calendar for next year to share your bounty with those who will appreciate it. For those readers who are spending the day volunteering at shelters and soup kitchens, bless you for your kind hearts and generosity of spirit. Please take a moment to think of something you are thankful for, no matter how small.

If you need some suggestions, read on: Be Thankful (Author Unknown) Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference. It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.

Dear Readers: Here’s one more, on the lighter side. We wish we knew the author so we could give proper credit: May your stuffing be tasty, May your turkey be plump, May your potatoes and gravy Have nary a lump. May your yams be delicious And your pies take the prize, May your Thanksgiving dinner Stay off your thighs!

Dear Annie: For years, I drank too much. One drink led to another and then to another until I became a different person – not very likeable. It created a lot of arguments, and I said many things that were unkind to say the least.

Finally, I got tired of me and decided to quit. I went to two AA meetings and have not had a drink for almost 16 months. The love and understanding from the AA members was like a magic potion. I never thought I could do it. I envisioned myself dying an old drunk. Life is so much better now. I can watch TV, read books and stay up late if I want, rather than passing out.

For any readers who can acknowledge that they have a drinking problem, know that you can quit, too, and believe me, you will like your new life. Now, if I could just quit smoking… – Homosassa, Fla.

Dear Homosassa: We have every confidence that you can do whatever you set your mind to doing. Congratulations on your newfound sobriety. You have a lot to be grateful for today.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611. To find out more about Annie’s Mailbox, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS.COM

AP-NY-11-09-09 1916EST