Happy Thanksgiving!

In light of Thanksgiving tomorrow, I wanted to share a a few things. Two of them I did not write but I like the items so much that I'm sharing them. The other thing is a just a basic, old fashioned short list of things for which I'm thankful.

The super fun, talented writer Jennifer posted this poem. She didn't actually write the poem so you will have to read more than just the poem to see what I mean about her writing ;). This poem is anonymous.

BE THANKFUL

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when 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’s 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.

I like the idea of reframing problems and set backs this way. I read this after I had received a piece of bad news. The words didn't magically make the problem less of a problem. But, it helped my attitude a little. Just a very little but it was a start!

This morning, I had an email in my inbox from a lady whose blog I used to read. I don't think she blogs anymore but I get newsletters from her via email. Hers was one of the first blogs that I ever read. She's a physician turned stay at home mom. I think she's now a life coach and she sells essential oils. I don't purchase the service or product of what she sells (though I could probably use the former...). I got one of my favorite chocolate chip cookies from her blog for which I am grateful. It is here. Anyway, here is what she wrote in her newsletter that resonated with me:

"It is such a privilege to be alive and to be loved by a God who is FOR us. He has rigged this all in our favor, no matter what we see on the outside. EVERY single person and circumstance in my life is there for a reason- to nurture me, to teach me, to discipline me, to grow me, to make stronger and more resilient. Nothing is wasted in God's economy...This day (and every day) will present me with reasons to choose resentment, bitterness, and disappointments. But I can still choose love and connection and compassion if I want to. What an amazing way to live, when I brave enough. My prayer for you as you gather (or don't) is to acknowledge what never changes- that you were created by God on purpose, for love and service. Love toward Him and love for your neighbor."

It goes on and includes, at the end, a recipe called, "Aunt Vicki's Olive Salsa." Uh, that's a NO (olives, no thanks) from me! I will stick to occasionally making her chocolate chip cookie recipe!!

This Thanksgiving Eve, when things are a little out of whack- the kids in college are home but the high schooler is 842 miles from us (she will be back late tonight) but overall very good, I can't help but count my blessings. For:

This guy- (the guy in the pullover, not the suit though I am thankful for my brother)

the hardest worker imaginable. It's white collar so he's not toiling physically and his body is not under stress, fortunately. But, he's always on mentally. He has to figure out complex legal issues for his clients, he helps to run the law firm as one of its owners and he has to keep work coming in. No one creates work for him. To that end, he has had no problems recently. His clients recognize that he does good work. They recommend him to others which brings more work to him. Donnie doesn't want to turn work down in case the economy slows even more and work becomes scarce. So he works and works. He will take Thursday and Friday off of work this week. I'm happy for him that he gets this break! He will take Christmas and the day after it off. Those four days are only two work days off in a row he consistently takes each year. Some years, we haven't gone on a vacation because he did not feel like he could take four or five week days off in a row (2021 was one of those years). So these days off are a big deal to him. 

Jacob- I'm thankful that he's about ready to graduate from college and that he has a job lined up already. College has been good for him even as its been very much impacted by the pandemic. He's such a hard worker- a chip off the old block, if you will- (though he doesn't want to chip as much as the block does (if that makes sense)) and I think his future is bright.

Abby- I'm thankful she's enjoying college more this year than she did last year- a new major, no mask wearing- it's as good a time as any to be in school. A nonpartyer at a party school, she's maybe had to work harder than many to find her group but fortunately, she has. She is pursuing her interests as well as pushing herself academically- the latter of which she seems to enjoy(?) so it's all good. 

Alyssa- I'm thankful that we have a little while longer to have a child still at home with us. Well, that is when she returns from Florida. I'm grateful that she had the chance to get away. The beach is her happy place and that's where she is. I'm grateful that all of our kids have been invited to go on trips with friends. They've all been to Florida with families that have included them in the family's vacation. I especially appreciate that because, like I said before, there have been some years that we haven't gone on a family vacation. So my kids being included in other family's plans has been really nice.

I'm thankful for our extended families and our friends as well. Speaking of friends, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with these ladies and their families. So thankful for friends who are like family to us!