Thanksgiving

The memorial service for a friend of ours was this morning. I'm sad that she passed away but glad that because she believed in Jesus Christ as her Savior, she is with him in heaven right now.

As I think about how quickly life passes, I'm especially grateful this Thankgiving. Here are a few things I'm grateful for in no particular order:

* my husband and my daughter
* my family and friends
* a body that moves and breathes and performs countless tasks every day that I take for granted
* a mind that can think, learn and reason
* provision for basic needs and many, many extras besides
* holiday get-togethers with dear ones
* mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, and our family's favorite baked beans
* creation (you knew that would be on this list, didn't you?)
* medicine for laryngitis and sinus infections
* laughter, and lots of it
* beauty, of course
* the arts, especially visual and theater
* tears of joy, tears of sorrow, tears of compassion
* language, words, and the Word
* grace
* grace
* grace

Thank you for reading. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.

This Week

I'm a little under the weather this week. I'll be back next week. As Thanksgiving approaches, let's be thinking about the beauty around us and what type of beauty we are thankful for and why (ex: music, dance, literature, creation, etc). If you have a minute, leave a comment about it.

A Few Things I Love about Fall

"The day I see a leaf is a marvel of a day." ~Kenneth Patton (courtesy of my friend Bonnie Bruno)

A Few Things I Love About Fall:

leaves in full glory, giving glory to their Creator
pumpkins of every size as far as the eye can see
clear blue cloudless sky
little kids wearing orange
blue jeans and sweaters and rugged old shoes
apples
applesauce
apple cinnamon anything
fall festivals
the smell of a fire
chilly temperatures that turn noses pink
colorful scarves handmade by my nieces and my friend
flannel pajama pants on Sunday afternoons
cozy evenings at home
giving thanks

How about you? What do you love about the fall?

In Sickness

My friend Eileen is lying in the hospital this morning, very very sick. Two years ago, another friend named Julie--a regular reader of this blog-- was also very sick and spent part of the holidays in the hospital, too. Today I'm filled with thanks that Eileen is still with us, at least for now, and that Julie has recovered fully and is now the mother of a beautiful little boy.

Julie sent me an email several months ago about the beauty she found even in her hospital room. I'm going to share it below. Hug your family and friends close this Thanksgiving, and let the beauty around you remind you of all there is to thank God for.

"The first time I had an extended stay in a hospital bed was at the end
of October 2006. The hospital was brand new and I had a large private
room with a large window. The view inside was clean and nice. The
hospital sits in the middle of a business and shopping district but from
my 4th story window the only thing I could see was a patch of trees
wearing the most vibrant Autumn colors. I remember staring out the
window for hours taking in the extraordinary colors of God's creation.
I don't think a trip to the Mountains would have given me a more
beautiful display of the season.

"A few weeks later I again was in the
hospital this time for a much longer stay, in a more serious condition,
and in the middle of the Christmas Holiday. This time my room was small
and the view was that of a parking lot and a highway. The weather
seemed to be overcast and dark everyday. I missed the view of the
beautiful trees but I found plenty of beauty inside those 4 walls. The
love of God expressed in the form of family and friends who brought such
comfort and joy both in the hospital and during my long recovery at
home. I found beauty in the medical staff who so carefully cleaned and wrapped
wounds that were so ugly I was unable to look upon them myself. I found
beauty in the feel of the breeze on my face after being inside in a bed
for more than 2 weeks. I now try to remember how many things there are
in everyday life that are beautiful and I try to stop and appreciate
them, and thank God for them."