Heart of Thankfulness

Another November, I enjoy listing my thanks each year on my blogs because it centers me.  A time of reflection that comes during one of the busiest seasons of the year, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  So this year I offer thirty, one for each day of the month, reasons my heart is filled with thanks:

v Exceptionally thankful for our new home

v Travel safety provided over numerous road trips

v Memories of two years of life in a retirement oasis

v A treasured visit with my sister-in-law, Mary Lou

v Recorded memories shared by my Aunt Betty, ninety-two years young

v A new maltipoo puppy, Muffin

v Searching our roots with my granddaughter, Sydney

v Autumn beauty

v For direction from the Word of God

v  To have spent time on this earth with a humble stepfather, Tom, who loved my Mother deeply

v Our nimble and talented granddaughter, Haley, has the opportunity to cheerlead and support her school

v Delicious pumpkin-pie cake

v God’s patience with me

v Witnessing my Mother’s amazing endurance through illness and loss of her beloved husband

v Sharing a weekend with my brother and sisters, laughing, remembering and crying together…

v An impromptu tea party with Megan and Ashley, two of my ‘Princess’ granddaughters

v So grateful to stay in the home of Aunt Gail and Uncle Palmer during a difficult family funeral

v Friendships that have stood the test of time

v Warm, friendly neighborhood

v Turkey and my Mom’s stuffing recipe

v Freedom to vote in a Presidential election

v Soul-mate, friend and love of my life, my husband, Joseph

v Warmth of our wood-burning stove

v A day of remembering at the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania

v Forty-two years of marriage and counting…

v The speedy sale of our previous home

v ‘Coffee times’ with my sister, Nancy

v Recently acquired photograph of my deceased mother-in-law and father-in-law taken almost seventy years ago

v Blueberry French Toast and orange juice

v Listening to Stardust and Moonlight Serenade

My 2011 Thanksgivings
November My Thanksgivings

Precious Times

‘Busyness’ would be a great word to describe 2012 for me.  Many road trips, buying and selling our home, grieving through the loss of my Mom’s dear husband and my beloved sister-in-law, finding a new church home, and we just got a maltipoo pup this week. 

Last week, though, was a totally precious time.  Our family celebrated my Mother’s 85^th birthday.   My siblings and spouses came from three different states.  My three children and their families, blessed with fourteen of my mom’s great-grandchildren, shared cake and memories with all.

Admiringly watching my Mother, I am reminded that this is what life is all about.  What a blessing to share our time with a woman who has lived so many years of life.  Her mind and heart are informed by days and years of living.  All the experiences she enjoyed or struggled through have brought her to today.  As I witness her smile and appreciation for her family, I’m confident the value she places on each person and each moment in time, flows from her awareness of just how precious life is.