Dear Friends,
I was scrolling through Facebook a few weeks ago and noticed a friend saying 25 days of things to be thankful for and it didn’t compute. I didn’t think, oh, it is November, or Thanksgiving is in 25 days, however, each day, since November 1st, this friend has posted something in her life to be thankful for. Some are big and momentous and other small ideas and others, she did for herself, like set a crockpot dinner before leaving for work so thankful for a cooked meal after a long day at work. Once I realized what was going on, I started thinking about it, can you find one thing each day to be thankful for, small, big, something someone else did for you or something you did for yourself. Life is full of wondrous moments, we just need to take the time to think about it.

So today, here is my list of feeling “thankful”, please add yours to the list so we can make 25 days of “thank yous” also.
–  –  I am thankful that I was born into a good family, who took the time to show me right from wrong and people who are willing to help others.
–  –  I am thankful for all my family, a warm family who loves me and each other. With this said, we may not get along perfectly every day, but I know, “push comes to shove”, I have an awesome support system.
–  –  I am thankful for my many wonderful friends, some new and many I have had for years, some I don’t see often, but when we get together, it is always a meaningful time of catching up.
–  –  I am thankful for my fantastic BRL crew, staff, management and guides, who help me daily to keep BRL operating at the level it operates by keeping guests happy and coming back, of doing the little extras so guest know they are welcomed and always appreciated.
–  –  I am thankful for your generous business which means visits to BRL and sometimes the weather cooperates for good fishing, other times, not so much, but you, our guest, come back with positive attitudes. As Mike has said “he has never known another group of bigger optimists than a sports fisher-person”!
–  –  I am thankful that good old faithful Belize River Lodge has made it through the 2020 closure and pandemic and all of our blessed BRL crew are healthy and happy.
–  –  I am thankful for our hardworking travel agents who always keep Belize River Lodge in the minds of potential guests that we would not meet otherwise.
–  –  I am thankful for my health and the good health of those all around me. We may not be perfect but we are doing great and that is a reason to be thankful.
–  –  I am thankful for my many life’s experiences. Some I could lived without especially at the time, but all experiences have made me the person I am, with a positive thankful outlook.
–  –  I am thankful that each beautiful morning, afternoon and evening, I have a food on the table and prepared by the lovely BRL cooks. While I can cook it is not a favorite daily task of mine.
–  –  I am thankful for our way of life at Belize River Lodge, surrounded by the green tropical trees, the colorful flowers and plants, the melodious birds and butterflies. Every time I walk outside, I am always amazed and never disappointed at what I see.
–  –  I am thankful for living on a river full of personality. There are times the tarpon are playing on the surface in my front yard or the dolphin is feeding and jumping, providing a show. The crocodile who is out there lurking, but yet again, I never know what show will present itself, like an iguana preening himself in his bright orange color.
–  –  I am thankful for the increase of fish in the sea and rivers that will tempt you to come to Belize River Lodge to catch and release the sports species. This also allows you get a taste of the fish that can be kept for dinner that evening. For this we are truly grateful as this is the livelihood of the lodge and those who work here.
–  –  I am thankful for the efficient shipping service that was once extremely difficult. This is now much easier so we can get supplies that make our lives better. Something like the floor and wall polish that keep our mahogany walls looking beautiful is now so much simpler to get.
–  –  I am thankful for our devoted Belizean farmers who supply our meats and veggies in spite of difficulties farming and they keep on expanding to make their products better and healthier.
–  –  I will finish and say, I am thankful for life and the air we breathe and share. Some days are better than others, but we are blessed to be given a new day each morning and have the choice to be thankful for the day, come what may.

Along with being thankful, we have so much hopes and so many wishes. So on this Thanksgiving Day in 2022, we have hope and wishes for you and ourselves:
–  –  May we always have continued health
–  –  Continuous prosperity, we hope that Belize River Lodge continues for another 60+ years
–  –  Happiness – fishing, family or whatever brings you these positive feelings
–  –  Overall joy and success in life, this encompasses work, family experiences, just joy and success in all that you/we do – big, small, momentous or minute!

We wish you, your family and friends a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Warm regards,
Marguerite, Mike
& BRL Crew