Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The last Thursday in November is always Thanksgiving in the U.S. Over here in Malaysia it is just the last Thursday in November. But just because Malaysia doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving doesn’t mean I shouldn’t. So, today our family will be hosting some family and friends that God has blessed us with and that we are thankful for. There are several traditional things that take place on this day. One is we eat… a lot. Today we have a nice roasted turkey, sweet potatoes, pecan pie and pumpkin cheese cake all ready for our guests. We also tell each other what we are thankful for.

I have mixed feelings about this time of year. I know it’s good to be thankful, and to list all the things we’re thankful for. I guess I get a little frustrated that we have to make a special day for this. I honestly don’t take what I do nor where I live for granted. I’m so thankful to be living with my family in Malaysia. We have wonderful friends, a beautiful house with a great location near the ocean.

I am thankful for Dalat, a wonderful school that my daughter gets to attend just 5 min. from our house. I am thankful that my wife and daughter would choose to be living here rather than any other place on earth. And speaking of my wife, I’m very thankful for Alou who has unending grace and patience for a very ADD husband. Lord help her!

I am thankful for sponsors that believe in my talent and see my work worth linking their valuable name with. I never take for granted subscribers and readers like you. You make this whole blog thing worthwhile.

Last but not least, I am thankful for a God who loves me and has blessed me so much.

Take a minute and tell me what you are thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends around the world!

About The Author

Matt Brandon

Matt is a Malaysia based assignment photographer. Well known as a photographer and international workshop instructor, Matt’s images have been used by business and organizations around the globe. Matt is also a Fujifilm Malaysia brand ambassador. Matt is a contributor to National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller and other major publications.

12 Comments

  1. Waynomiller

    I’m thankful for all God has blessed me with: my daily bread, my parents, siblings, wife, kids, friends and family. So much more that I’m forgetting….

    Reply
  2. Matea Michelangeli

    I am thankful for so many things, but if I have to name a few my husband would be the first, for being so patient and supporting me in everything I do. For the opportunities I have had this year and of course my children that keep me on running.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

    Reply
  3. anita

    might sound silly, but I’m grateful for my high-speed Internet connection to blogs & podcasts, like yours, that broaden my horizons. Thanks, Matt! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
  4. Carrie Mercer

    Beautiful post. πŸ™‚ I’m thankful for stories. Stories like yours and so many others from across the world that share the beauty and life that surrounds them. They connect, they inspire, and they remind me to constantly look up and realize just how blessed I really am. They challenge me to LIVE life, not just get through it. Some day, I would love to be living the adventure that you do. But until then (and it hopefully won’t be too long!), I’m grateful for the chance to read about it. Blessings to you and yours. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  5. Hariman Abd Rahman

    Even though I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving but if I did, befriending you is one of the top 5 entries.. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  6. Eldon Yoder

    I know what you mean about feeling frustrated that we have to have a day to “celebrate” our thankfulness…

    I’m thankful for many things as well, but the art of photography has to be near the top of the list. (at least this year)

    Learning from folks like you, through your blogs is inspirational and another blessing.

    I’m also thankful for the “chance” to make photography more than just a hobby, its a long road, but I hope to take those steps.

    God is good, I am blessed.

    Reply
  7. Jeffrey Chapman

    Happy Thanksgiving Matt! Love that new photo of you. You look very distinguished. (Be careful, however, not to celebrate prematurely in 2012. Thanksgiving is the 4th Thursday in November, which is not always the last Thursday.)

    As for what I’m thankful, well, everything. My family. My friends. This photography community. The people I meet in my travels. Etc. I’m even thankful that we’re forced to stop for at least one day a year to think about this. It’s nice that we all slow down on the same day and just give thanks. All my best to you and your family!

    Reply
    • Jeffrey Chapman

      Oops, I got that backwards. Be careful not to MISS Thanksgiving in 2012 as it won’t be on the last Thursday.

      Reply
  8. Dave Brandon

    I am thankful for the love, grace, and mercy of Almighty God, for His gift of reconcilliation through Jesus Christ, His Son. I am thankful for my mom, for her wisdom and guidance through the years. I am thankful for my brother, Matt, and his family; for my sister, MIndy, and her family; and for my sister, Terry.. I am thankful for my boys and their families: Carey, Jason, Adam, Jake, and Shawn. I am thankful for my new grandson, Ryker. I am thankful for my health, for my job, for my house. God be praised!!

    Reply
  9. Jonathan Steffen

    I am thankful for photographers who open themselves up to people like me who snoop around blogs and galleries, and who follow them around school events trying to figure out what and how they are shooting just trying to glean and learn something. Thanks Matt! I also echo your gratefulness for Dalat, and a patient wife, and a God who thought much of me even when I thought little of him.

    Reply
  10. Matt Brandon

    Thank you all for your kind words of appreciation. I hope, if you celebrated Thanksgiving, you didn’t eat too much. We had a great time here, stayed up far too late and ate way too much of my wife’s amazing food. Thanks for spreading the word.

    Reply
  11. Karin L. Crawford

    I am thankful for grace that comes through friends and family; for my garden, dog and home; for the opportunity to own a business and worship freely; for great food; for beauty in all forms; and above all, for my relationship with the ONE who gives all this abundance to us …

    Reply

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