Happy Thanksgiving, Lush Lifers! 🍁 
Our house is a little fuller this Thanksgiving weekend, and so are our hearts.
Ciara and Ceili are home from Toronto, and Bill and I are celebrating a rather remarkable milestone: 40 years of marriage.
Forty years!
In my former life as an actuary, I might have called that a very long projection period. But no actuarial model could ever have predicted everything those four decades would bring — the adventures, the laughter, the challenges, the unexpected turns, the people we’ve welcomed into our lives, and those we’ve had to say goodbye to along the way.
And looking back, I’ve realized something rather important.
The things that matter most in life were never going to show up on a spreadsheet.
Not the family dinners. Not the friendships. Not the places we’ve explored together. Not the moments when life surprised us with something wonderful — or reminded us just how precious our time really is.
This Thanksgiving, I’ve also been reflecting on two extraordinary Canadians who were honoured here in Ottawa earlier this month: Michael J. Fox and k,d. lang.
Two very different lives, two remarkable legacies, and a shared reminder of what it means to live authentically, persevere through challenges, and use the gifts we’ve been given.
Their stories have me thinking about gratitude in a slightly different way this year.
Not simply being thankful for what we have, but being mindful of what we do with the time we have.
Because life isn’t always predictable. It certainly isn’t always easy. And there are people we’d dearly love to have sitting around our Thanksgiving table who are no longer with us.
But there is still so much to celebrate.
The people who show up for us. The memories we’ve made. The opportunities to experience something new. The chance to keep learning, exploring, laughing, loving, and occasionally stepping well outside our comfort zones.
And perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to leave things a little better for the people coming behind us.
That’s what Bill and I will be toasting this Thanksgiving, with our girls around the table and the people we’ve loved and lost forever in our hearts.
I spent more than 20 years measuring return on investment. These days, I’m much more interested in measuring Return on Life.
And after 40 years of marriage, I can tell you that the greatest returns have very little to do with money.
They have everything to do with love, connection, shared experiences, and making the most of the time we’re given.
So, wherever you find yourself this Thanksgiving — around a crowded family table, sharing a quiet meal, travelling somewhere wonderful, or remembering someone you wish could be there — I hope you find a moment to appreciate the richness of your own life.
Live life. Love deeply. Make memories. And never forget your Return on Life. ❤️
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!
I’d love to know: What are you most grateful for this Thanksgiving? Hit reply and tell me. I always enjoy hearing from my Lush Lifers.
With gratitude,
Sheila
Your Happiness Actuary
Lush Life Travel
Live Life. Love Travel. Return on Life. ❤️
