First Thanksgiving Without Him

Dear Ray, it's wonderful to see you! Thank you for your inspiring comments. I'm so glad to know my poem touched your heart. Both your gracious visit and precious thoughts are appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Dear Michael, it seems we both share a deep sadness with the loss of our dads. You lost your father Rene on September 16, 2021, and I lost my father Albert on June 10, 2021. Thank you for your compassionate response to my poem, the beauty of your empathy touches me deeply. Please accept my condolences for the loss of your precious dad as well. Indeed, like you, I believe we both will experience a glorious reunion with our loved ones someday. Your wonderful presence here is truly appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Dear Timothy, please accept my condolences for the loss of your father, it saddens me to know just how intimately acquainted you are with the mournful emotions of this poem. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me, the beauty of your empathy shines upon the page and onto my heart. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Oh, my dear friend, indeed, I can't imagine how heavy and broken your loving heart must be. I understand why your couldn't read poetry for a while. As my father watches over me I know that your beloved husband and son watch over you, Connie, your devoted and doting guardian angels. I'm so please you were touched by this poem as I am deeply moved by your heartfelt comments. Thank you, my sweet friend, I so appreciate your warm presence. Warmest wishes and hugs xoxox.. ~Susan

Indeed, dear Valsa, your beautiful comments ring true with compassion, wisdom and hope. That you share in these emotions with me reveals the beauty of your empathy for which I am truly grateful. Thank you, my friend. Warmest wishes for a happy Holiday season.. ~Susan

My dear friend, indeed, my beloved father past away, peacefully at home surrounded by his family, on June 10, 2021. I miss him terribly, but thankfully I dream of him often. My dreams of him bring me comfort as they are always wonderful. Your beautiful words fill me with appreciation for your friendship. Thank you, Robert, for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me and for the honor of your fav. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Thank you, Jan, for sharing in the emotions of this very special poem with me. I am gladdened by your presence here. It's so wonderful to see you back and know that you are feeling better. Your precious thoughts are appreciated. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Dearest Mala, my apologies to you for my delayed response to your beautiful and heartfelt words. I am grateful for the comfort your presence and friendship brings. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me, your heart is radiant, my sweet friend. Warmest wishes, love and hugs.. ~Susan

Ah, my dear friend, Jack, I am heartened by your wonderful presence and the warm glow of your words. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this special poem with me and for shining the beauty of your empathy upon my poem and my heart. I am filled with gratitude for your friendship. Warmest wishes and happy Thanksgiving to you.. ~Susan

My dear Charlie, your golden presence lights up my page and my heart. Thank you for your rich and beautiful response to my poem. I find comfort in your encouraging and heartfelt words. Yes, I'm sure he's smiling, my dad was always smiling, his heart full of light, love and happiness. So good to see you, Charlie, my apologies for the delayed response to your moving words, I am filled with gratitude. Warmest wishes, my sweet friend, and happy Thanksgiving.. ~Susan

My dear Ani, my sincere apologies to you for my delayed response to your rich and heartfelt comments. The beauty of your wisdom, comfort and empathy shines in the warm glow of your words. You are a treasure, my sweet friend. Warmest wishes, love and hugs.. ~Susan

My dearest poetry sis, indeed, my beloved father past away, peacefully at home surrounded by his family, on June 10, 2021. I miss him terribly and dream of him often, which brings me comfort for the dreams are always wonderful and I feel his presence with me always, yes, I believe "a constant angel who guards me".. Your beautiful words fill me with gratitude for your friendship and sistership. Thank you for sharing in these emotions with me, Jennifer. Your love, hugs and heart felt condolences are cherished. Warmest wishes, love and hugs sent to you too, my sweet friend.. ~Susan

Dear Belle, your uplifting comments are gratefully received. Your heart shines with the beauty of your empathy. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. We are grieving but we are so appreciative for the memories we share. Warmest wishes, my sweet friend.. ~Susan

Oh, I cherish this comment so beautifully and prayerfully expressed as only you can do, my friend. Thank you for your kindness, Seeker. I am both honored and humbled by your lovely soulful heart and generous assessment of my Tanka.. I'm not sure if it's one of the best, but I am filled with gratitude that you think so, dear poet. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

You surely know how to be an uplifting presence, my friend. Thank you, Andrea, for your kindness and encouragement. YOU are truly appreciated.

well, maybe in OTHER categories there could be better ones but even then, it would be outstanding, and in this particular contest, it still stands out!!

Dear Andrea, I am humbled and honored by your very generous comments. I am thrilled by your response to my poem, but I respectfully disagree, there are many exceptional and exquisite tanka poems that are far superior, in my humble opinion. Still, your comments fill with me elation. Warmest wishes, dear poetess.. ~Susan

Oh, Gershon, the beauty of your empathy gives me comfort and hope. Your precious thoughts are so beautifully expressed and move me deeply. I share in your toast to wonderful memories, and I raise a glass to salute your tender heart and your cherished friendship. Thank you, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Oh, my dearest poetry brother, the magic of your insight, the depth and breadth of your emotional intelligence, the beauty of your sensitive responsive spirit leaves me breathless and so very appreciative to call you friend. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of loss with me. As difficult as it was when we lost our mom 18 years, we still had our dad, we still had one half of our family's centerpiece. We cherished him and his presence comforted us through the years without our mom. This Thanksgiving, I join with you in missing both our wonderful parents as we celebrate, but also, I join with you in gratitude for loved ones still here. Your exquisite thoughts resonate beautifully within my soul, John, thank you. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Dear Laura, thank you for your heartwarming condolences. I know you share the same loss, I remember learning of your dad's passing when I read your exquisite poem "Gone", which I just reread and was deeply moved more than ever. Indeed, our dad's will definitely be with us in spirit on Thanksgiving Day, just as they are with us every day.. Your precious thoughts are treasured, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Dear BJ, the beauty of your empathy is truly cherished. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me and for sharing your compassionate thoughts. Your lovely hearts shines, my sweet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Yes we do, Eve, always and forever we cherish them..

:'( We love them with all our hearts

Dear Eve, your compassionate heart shines upon this page. Thank you for sharing in these emotions with me. Holidays are a time when the loss of loved ones is especially felt. I know you know this feeling too, my friend, and thankfully, we find comfort in remembering lost loved ones with family. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Dear Michelle, our smiles and tears in remembrance will help fill the empty space and bring us comfort. My dad relished the tradition of Thanksgiving.. and all family gatherings. Your compassionate comments are treasured, my wonderful friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Dear Judy, indeed it is.. thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. Your compassionate comments are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes to you, my dear friend.. ~Susan

Dear Kim, I pray with you for your dad to endure and we weep together for our loss.. There is comfort in the mingle of tears. Thank you, my friend, for your inspiring visit and soulful comments. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Indeed, Tom, that is true. Though it is bittersweet, there is a warm comfort gained from sharing memories of departed loved ones at holiday gatherings. The mix of smiles and tears keep us close in remembrance. Thank you for your wonderful and thoughtful words, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Dear Heidi, thank you for sharing in the feelings of this poem with me. Your compassionate heart shines, thank you, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan