The Canadian Oxford Dictionary defines “providence” as “the protective care of God or nature.” On this Thanksgiving Monday, I am giving thanks for providence. I just got back from a lovely two-day road trip with my Mum and Dad. Every two years I pick my parents up in their gigantic purple “mini” van and we embark on a well-planned adventure to take in the fall colours. In years past we have toured the back roads of Muskoka, having our Thanksgiving supper on the Segwun. This year we decided to drive up the Lake Huron shoreline to Tobermory and take the MS Chi-Cheemaun on one of its last sails of the season across Georgian Bay to Manitoulin Island.  I do most of the planning and Mum and Dad oblige by clapping at the most spectacular fall foliage.  I am blessed that they are so easy to please!  This time around I made a mistake when booking our overnight accommodations.  I picked a lodge pretty far inland on the island (they forgave me as I had a rather crazy week).  As it turns out, our overnight stay was in stunning Providence Bay.  Just at sunset I had a chance to venture down to the beach and take the snap above.  I am convinced that nowhere else could I have taken a sunset snap like this one.  It was, in fact, providence, that led us to our resting place on Saturday night.  All three of us enjoyed each other’s company, we relaxed to the sound of endless waves lapping on the shore, and we felt, for one night, surrounded by the protective care of nature.  Our weary souls needed that more than you can know.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  May providence smile down on you this week.