Wow. Give thanks in all circumstances.
As we are approaching Thanksgiving and nearing the end of yet another year, I realize that thankfulness is really what has fueled me throughout this year. I have had some trials and tribulations and I am thankful that I have been able to sustain and/or enjoy whatever has come my way this year.
It is easy to become complacent about all the things, people and events in our lives that should make us count our blessings, but it hit me hard today as I watched the news and saw all the devastation caused by the typhoon in The Phillippines. The numbers they were throwing out were staggering and almost incomprehensible. Numbers like over 10,000 feared dead, 5,000 homes destroyed, sustained winds of 195 miles per hour, 660,000 people displaced. And I am sure that the pictures shown on the news and in the paper, although haunting, do not come close to showing the real devastation this has caused.
But I don't want to dwell on this disaster or anything like that. I want to dwell on gratitude and this time of Thanksgiving.
I have written in my blogs several times about Thanksgivings past. It is one of my favorite holidays. It is such a reflective time for me....perhaps more than any other time during the year.
I have a small black and white clipping on my refrigerator that I cut out of our church bulletin several years ago. It is a drawing of the back of a man, arms outstretched and it says: "Oh God, I give thanks to you forever." I cut it out because I love the simplicity of the drawing and the power in those few words. I look at it often as a reminder. I think sometimes we could each use a nudge here and there as a reminder.
I saw something that was posted by a friend on Facebook that said something to the affect that we need to be grateful for what we do have rather than regretful for what we don't have. When I read things like this I think to myself that it really is a simple concept. It isn't difficult to grasp.
I also read a quote by an unknown author that says "Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting." That is something I believe and love so much. Those who give of their time, their services, their prayers and their resources and don't have to let it be known or keep track or weigh the odds are true stewards of men and of God.
Another quote that I love that sort of goes with my ever-constant preaching about finding your own joy is this: "The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it." ~Richard Bach
How amazing is that? If we enjoy our moments then it will lead to a lifetime of happiness.
I sometimes think I want to just list things that I am thankful for as easily and simply as they pop in my head. The list is in no particular order with no preferences and no measure for which blessing is more important or relevant.
I am thankful for my cat, Leo. He makes me smile and he entertains the entire family. He loves unconditionally and he came to me at a time in my life when I thought my life was truly going to crumble around me.
I am thankful for my husband. He has stuck with me through thick and thin, and I can honestly say he is my best pal. We share everything and although we are quite different with our interests and with our way of thinking sometimes, it doesn't seem to hinder our relationship in the least.
I am thankful to be planning a wedding right now. Although it is a lot of work and a big expense, planning an event that signifies something so joyful makes the work and expense pale in comparison. I am thankful that I have these moments to share with my daughter and the the whole process has been enjoyable and bonding for both of us.
I am thankful to be scheduling flights for my son and daughter-in-law to come visit for Christmas. The visits are much too few and far between. The older I get, the more I miss seeing Joseph. Sometimes he seems so far removed, yet as soon as he arrives we love to talk, have fun, and catch up. It's like the time and distance suddenly fades away.
I am thankful for Jimmy. He always was the 'loveable' kid in the family. I know that little thumb-sucking boy is still there inside a man's body. I love that he has two little kittens named Tiger and Rory that he is responsible for. It is cute to see a grown man love and nurture two little creatures.
I am thankful for my Mom, as she is the cornerstone of our family. She may be growing older and more wrinkled, but her wisdom and her experience....her kindness and her generosity.....those are the things that will live on forever. I am so thankful that God made it possible for her to move to Florida so seemingly effortlessly. She is a trooper.
I am thankful for my friends as I have always believed that one cannot sustain without friendships. My friends are there to support me and help me through the rough times, but they are also there to share in the good times. Sometimes they are just there. They are there for something as simple as a time to go out to lunch or to share a few laughs. I definitely was placed in the path of some wonderful women when I moved to Florida.
I am thankful for my church. The hour I spend there on Sunday morning fuels me for the rest of the week. It is somehow inexplainable, but the feeling I have is overwhelming. Of course, the church is more for me than just an hour on Sunday, but that hour is truly the best hour of my week.
I am thankful for my home and my pool and my lovely things. I am not a materialistic person, but I love my things as they represent my life and make my home my safe haven. Dorothy was right when she said, "there's no place like home." My desire is to travel, see the world, learn about new cultures, help people in other places, and all those things, but truly, if I never get to leave here again I won't complain. Home is where I really love being the most.
I am thankful for all my relatives that have left this earth. They touched my life and made me who I am today. It is a weird feeling to have so few relatives left, but I know that one day I will join them along with my Aunt Madeline in that 'glorious reunion' she used to talk about.
I am thankful for the artistic streak that is in me. I love to be creative and I love to make things. I know that sometimes it seems silly, but I often fear that I won't live long enough to make and do and create all the things I have swimming around in my brain. I like that I have this passion, though, as it keeps me focused (or rather scattered most of the time!) and always thinking forward. I am never bored nor am I ever wondering what I'm going to do with my time. Rather, I wonder when I can find enough time to do all these things that I love to do.
I am thankful that I enjoy cooking and entertaining and being 'Suzy Homemaker.' I have always loved all things like this ever since I was a young girl. I am thankful for Elaine Gregory for starting my true love of cooking and sewing and for her knowledge and patience to teach me.
I am thankful to live in this country. In this state. In this town. In this community. I truly believe there is no other place I can imagine being that would be more satisfying to me. I guess that is good. It is nice to feel contentment over restlessness.
I am thankful for the ocean, the sand, the sea creatures and seashells. All of those things bring a smile to my face and joy to my life. My friend Sally Hillyer has a plaque on her wall that I have copied and quoted many times and it says: There is a sense of forever in the sound of the surf.
Amen.
I am thankful for my in-laws. There are countless jokes made about in-laws, but mine are truly great. Whenever I am with Jim's brothers and sisters, distance knows no boundaries. I am the lone Southerner of the bunch and I have sustained years and years of teasing, but I have also learned to love hard rolls, pork roll, the Jersey shore, and a room full of people who talk over one another and (seemingly) don't listen to one another. These are the same people who make a big deal out of holidays and weddings and keeping up with each other, no matter how much time has elapsed between visits. Coming from a small family, this crazy crew makes me smile and makes me enjoy the true meaning of 'opposites attract.'
I am thankful for my nephew as he is the link I have to my only sibling. I miss her so much, but I see her in every smile that Porter makes and in his every sarcastic comment and in his brilliant writing. I know that he is the true apple of her eye, and for that, I thank God every night. He completed her and knowing that I can rest a little easier.
I am thankful for sunsets on a clear night and a good summer afternoon Tampa Bay lightning storm. I am thankful for my little lemon tree and my birdfeeders. Sometimes I really feel like a dork....I get so excited to watch the birds on my feeders.
I am thankful for good restaurants and yummy home-cooked meals. I am equally thankful for Chick-Fil-A when I need my craving satisfied and I am thankful for a good ole pimento cheese sandwich. I am thankful for a tomato sandwich and barbecued ribs when I visit Sally and David in Shelby. Oh and homegrown corn and okra!
I am thankful for Carol and her sweet cat, Cooper. I am thankful that Carol turned me on to Brooke and Darin Aldridge. There is nothing like a lovingly married couple singing some amazing bluegrass and gospel. I will never tire of the CDs that Carol sends me.
I am thankful for my old high school friends and the memories that we share. I am thankful for Elon College and the experiences I had there......number one being finding the love of my life. I am also thankful for my BA in English and grateful that my parents gave me the opportunity to further my education.
I am thankful that my parents allowed me to make my own choices. I know sometimes they were biting their tongues, but it is amazing how once I made a choice I generally had one of those 'ah-ha' moments that hey, my parents were right after all.
I am thankful that I had parents who took me to church and instilled all the right values in me. I love that I had such a wonderfully happy childhood.
I am thankful for laughter and silliness. Sometimes I still feel like a little kid when I can get so excited at the silliest things. I am thankful that my daughter and I share that. It is joy in its rawest form.
I am thankful for music, dance and theater. I love the performing arts and I thank my daddy for introducing me to Broadway.
I am thankful for my art teachers along the way and for all the artists past and present who enrich and beautify the world with their talents.
I am thankful for books. Literature, poetry, essays, documentaries, romance novels and of course the greatest book ever written educate, enlighten, entertain and inform me. I am thankful for the teachers who taught me to read. I love that I have always had a book by my bedside since I first learned to read. I have learned so much from books. I have also just spent some amazing down time lost in a book. I pray that literacy improves in our world because reading can change lives.
I am thankful for photography. I hope one day when I die people can look through my pictures and realize that they don't need to be sad. My pictures show a life lived fully. They document so many wonderful times and all one needs to do is look through my photos to see that.
I am thankful for all the beautiful colors in the world. I know that there are people who are color blind and they miss so much of that. I truly love color.
I am thankful for the memories I have. God made an amazing instrument when he made human brains. A song, a smell, a sight, a flower....all these things can conjure up so many memories. I will never eat a ham sandwich with a dill pickle without thinking of my friend, Terri. I will never hear the song "Desert Rose" without seeing my daughter dance. I will never smell Georgio perfume without thinking of my late friend, Janet. I will never taste Sungroves orange swirl ice cream without thinking of Porter. I will never view a driveway basketball court without picturing Jimmy shooting baskets. I will never hear a Pearl Jam song without thinking of Joseph. I will never hear the word 'pal' without thinking of my husband.
I am thankful for a good glass of red wine, finding a perfect scallop shell on the beach, or winning a game of Words with Friends against Anita.
I am thankful that my husband and I have been bowling every Wednesday night with our friends and on the same team with Dick and Anita for 10 years. I am also thankful that they don't care that I haven't improved in all those years!
I am thankful that my daddy loved having me ride in the golf cart with him. I am thankful that Sally and David open their home to me whenever I come to Shelby and that I am so comfortable there. I am thankful for my Mom's friends like The Shafers, The Newmans, Gene LeGrand, Nancy Morgan, Edith White and so many more that I could never attempt to mention them all. I think the thankfulness lies in that she has had so many good friends throughout her life. I have always heard that to have a good friend, you must be one. I guess this means Mom has been a good friend.
I am thankful for the doctors who are so educated and dedicated to their profession. They are our healers and our comforters. I have some amazing doctors to whom I am always grateful.
I am thankful for technology. I know it gets a bad rap sometimes as people say it is spinning out of control. There is some truth to that, but I am thankful for what wonderful things it provides and that I know the right way to get the most out of it.
I am thankful for people who still send 'snail mail.' I don't think the thrill of receiving a card or letter delivered by the mailman will ever cease for me.
I am thankful for my pajamas, flip flops and comfortable shoes. I have had foot surgeries and struggle with shoes, so finding something that fits and feels good is a real joy for me.
I am thankful for music. I think if I had to live without music I would really be sad. I love all kinds of music and I am thankful that God has gifted so many with the ability to sing, compose, and play instruments. It would be a sad world without music.
I am thankful for games. I love to play games. Solitary games are great for my mind and other games are great for my social life. I just love games. Cards. Crosswords. Trivia. Board games. Acting games. You name it.
I am thankful for theater. I am so blessed to have been a part of the performing world. I probably wasn't that great of an actress, director, teacher, singer, dancer, set painter, prop mistress or costumer, but I truly loved every moment spent doing anything theater related.
As I am writing this, I realize how truly significant my first statement is. Life really IS all about being thankful. I could probably sit here for hours on end just typing in all the things I am thankful for.
Amen and amen.
I love this poem simply entitled "Be Thankful."
Be thankful that you don't already have eveything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful that you don't know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
~author unknown
Finding ways to be thankful and to see blessings through your troubles isn't always easy.
But memories can be made of this.
And on to the next chapter......
And on to the next chapter......
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| On my counter right now for Thanksgiving |
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| On my refrigerator as an ever-present reminder (from Madeline) |
