November 23, 2011
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This morning I’m thinking thankful thoughts. Tomorrow morning I’ll be busy with the turkey, the potatoes, the gravy, the dressing, the vegetables, the pies, whipping the cream, making the coffee….but this morning, for a few minutes before my busy day begins, there is enough quiet time to really think thankfully.
As I pack a thermos of coffee and sandwiches for his lunch, I’m so thankful for a husband who has provided faithfully, never complaining of the responsibility, for more than 40 years. Thankful for his cheerfulness as he faces another long day of hard work, for his positive outlook and his eternal optimism, for his ability to enjoy every single day of life. Thankful for his love.
As I look around, at my snug, warm home, filled with things I love and reminders of all the people I love, I’m thankful for home. Thankful that our children and grandchildren love to come home, want to be with us, and have the means to come home. I love home when it is quiet and still and orderly and serene, and I love the way it will be tomorrow — messy and noisy and filled up with beloved people and their activities.
As I look at my long to-do list for today, I’m thankful for the groceries in my cupboards, my warms-right-up stove, the convenience of a refrigerator, a dishwasher, and a trusty washer and dryer in the laundry room. My busy day would be so different without these conveniences–things our great-grandmothers never imagined, yet 75 years later we mostly take for granted.
As I look at my desk calendar, filling up with busyness for this holiday season, I’m thankful for people with whom I share interests and beliefs–a loving church family, friends who are willing to tackle big projects for the greater good, wonderful neighbors–they all enrich our lives so much.
As I listen to the morning’s news, some of it good and some of it pretty bad, I’m reminded again of the blessing of living where we do. With all its faults and failings, America is still where I’d want to live, hands down.
And as I begin this day’s work, I’m thankful for the ability to do it–physically. I’m thankful for the immeasurable blessing of good health and sound (mostly) mind. So very thankful…
Every day, I’m thankful for these things, not just at Thanksgiving. But most days I don’t take the time to write them down, and some days I don’t even verbalize them. Today I pause to spell them out, word by word, and I realize the real value of setting aside a specific time of Thanksgiving.
And now I’m ready to get busy: a final dusting of the furniture and then to the kitchen for making cornbread and chopping up celery and onions for the dressing like my mom taught me to make it, baking pumpkin and pecan pies, a squash casserole that will remind us of my summer garden, a cranberry salad from my husband’s cousin who is one of the best cooks I’ve ever known….
Fill in the blank: “It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without _____________________.”
Comments (7)
I just love your posts! I agree totally with this one. Thanks for saying what I should have written.
What a beautiful Post!!
Happy Thanksgiving
Janet, this is beautiful, and I’m giving thanks along with you. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a walk in the hollow. And by the way, you leave the best comments! Thanks!
Ozark Grace
Health, being able to keep keeping on is probably the greatest blessing of all.
Janet, what a wonderful post, and a tribute to the One who gives only good gifts. For us, it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a walk in the woods.
One more thing–where did you get that pillow? I have one that looks a lot like it.
@conniesmiley -
I cannot remember!!!