Here we are again, that time of year when leaves start changing into beautiful golds, browns, and deep reds. The air is light and crisp and the world is beginning to cool down. All this could mean is one thing, Thanksgiving is almost here! For many, the meaning of Thanksgiving usually includes feasting, football games, four-day weekends, family reunions, or a forerunner to Christmas festivities. For my Thanksgiving, we enjoy most of those traditions. We get together with our kids, grandkids, and now great-grandkids. We have a big dinner, my son-in-love watches football with his son, and of course we all love the day off work. But I especially love to count the blessings of God throughout the year.
Here are a few things I'm very thankful for:
1) God/Prayer - Without knowing that God is there for me through all the good times and the bad, I don't know where I would be. Several times throughout my life I have felt lost. Having the ability to pray, and knowing that God is always listening, provides me with comfort. Then I have faith that His will will be done in my life. I have no complaints, and for that, I am extremely thankful.
2) Gary- My husband, Gary, is my best friend! He is my peanut to my butter, the crackle to my pop, and the skip in my step. But more importantly, he is the reason I have a smile on my face. I am grateful that I have been blessed with a husband that lets me follow my dreams and he is always right beside me holding my hand. To have a husband like Gary, who loves me unconditionally is more than I could ever ask for.
3) My children/grandchildren/great grandchildren- Michelle and Scotty are my pride and joy. I am beyond blessed to have children that have grown into such wonderful Godly people. Seeing Michelle with her husband, children, and grandchildren fills my heart with so much joy. Seeing how Scotty and his wife are leading their beautiful lives brings me much happiness. Then for my grandchildren and great grandchildren, I couldn't be more proud of. Kyle and his wife Jenn and his daughter Lily. Hailey and Lucas and their children, Jude, Ezra, and Harper (Harper who is our angel baby.) If every person in my family represents a single blessing, then my heart is running over.
Michelle and Scotty with Gary |
Kyle, Jenn, and Lily |
Hailey, Lucas, Jude, and Ezra |
4) Inspirations- I am thankful for all the inspirations in my life. Whether it be from my family, a clipping in a magazine, a scripture, or even a daydream.
5) Aging- Weird, I know. But I am thankful for aging. Looking back at all the follies of my youth, I am thankful for all the knowledge and wisdom I have obtained throughout my years. I am thankful to have so many experiences to be able to look back on and pull lessons learned from.
6) Second Chances- Who knows where many of us would be if no one believed in second chances. I, for one, am thankful to have had second chances in my life!
Theses are just a few things amongst the many blessings in my life that I am grateful for. I hope that this year, when you and your family are sitting at your beautifully prepared Thanksgiving meal, you take a moment and count all the blessings in your life and be truly thankful for each and everything.
I have also read about a great idea to be able to look back on your blessings. On January 1st, take a jar and each time you are blessed throughout the year, write it down and place it in the jar. Then, on December 31st, sit down and read all the amazing events that took place in the year just passed!
I am thankful to each and everyone of you and I pray everyone has a beautiful, relaxing Thanksgiving!
Blessings,
Tricia