Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. ~Edward Sandford Martin
Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart. ~Seneca
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie
For hearts that are kindly, with virtue and peace, and not seeking blindly a hoard to increase; for those who are grieving o'er life's sordid plan; for souls still believing in heaven and man; for homes that are lowly with love at the board; for things that are holy, I thank thee, O Lord! ~Walt Mason
Today is my oldest brother's birthday and Friday is the anniversary of my father's birthday (my Dad passed on in 1984). Happy Birthday, John! This is the big 62. Amazing, dude! And happy 87th birthday, Dad.
This year more than ever I have become thankful for family:
People that love you no matter what.
People who don't let their own opinions of you get in the way of their love.
People who reach out regardless of danger to themselves for associating with someone who might bring ridicule upon them.
People who let you love them too.
For my blood family, I am eternally grateful.
This year has shown me that they are more than I ever thought they'd be -- understanding, loving and caring. There has been healing there, and I am so grateful for that!
For my extended family here in Texas and online, I am eternally grateful.
How did I end up with friends like you? Your love and compassion has held me up this past year and taught me many things. Let no man say that youth has no wisdom... just ain't true! The truths you've uttered through everything that's happened this year -- Nathan's hospitalizations, the trouble at work, my firing and the crap that happened after the newscast -- have been a balm to comfort as well as an encouragement to pick up and go on. To continue to be our friends in the face of others who could not or would not hold friendship above duty is a deep, deep blessing to me.
For my good friends here as well as the people I've met just this year by "random comment" -- I am thankful for the perspective that you've brought to my life.
I've cried with you and laughed with you through your posts. You've made me think and have challenged me. And by your example in response to people's problems and events you've taught me more about living a truly Christian life than many sermons I've heard from a pulpit (though some of you might shudder at that mention -- remember Ghandi said he had problems not with Christ but with some of his followers...).
For my sweet husband, my best friend, I am eternally thankful.
We have proven the adage that "friends stick together in all sorts of weather." You are my friend first and foremost. and then my husband and lover. Together we have come through some pretty heavy junk, by the grace of God. I look forward to walking on, holding your hand and having more adventures this coming year, heart of my heart.
May all those serving our nation in the armed forces have a time of peace this Thanksgiving. May the wars end soon so they can return safe to their families and back to their lives.
May all those in our nation and around the world who know hunger and pain be taken care of this Thanksgiving. May we find new ways to ease their pain and hunger and empower them to be able to live their lives with dignity and honor.
May I see things through the eyes of love, not the eyes of self-centeredness. May my focus be less on me and more on someone else that needs the validation a hug can bring.
May the girl I met on the street in Austin and her friends be blessed this Thanksgiving and be able to love others and take care of them as much as she wants to.
May your day truly be full of thanks-giving, and may the blessing
of God rest upon your house, your family and your friends.
Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart. ~Seneca
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie
For hearts that are kindly, with virtue and peace, and not seeking blindly a hoard to increase; for those who are grieving o'er life's sordid plan; for souls still believing in heaven and man; for homes that are lowly with love at the board; for things that are holy, I thank thee, O Lord! ~Walt Mason
Today is my oldest brother's birthday and Friday is the anniversary of my father's birthday (my Dad passed on in 1984). Happy Birthday, John! This is the big 62. Amazing, dude! And happy 87th birthday, Dad.
This year more than ever I have become thankful for family:
People that love you no matter what.
People who don't let their own opinions of you get in the way of their love.
People who reach out regardless of danger to themselves for associating with someone who might bring ridicule upon them.
People who let you love them too.
For my blood family, I am eternally grateful.
This year has shown me that they are more than I ever thought they'd be -- understanding, loving and caring. There has been healing there, and I am so grateful for that!
For my extended family here in Texas and online, I am eternally grateful.
How did I end up with friends like you? Your love and compassion has held me up this past year and taught me many things. Let no man say that youth has no wisdom... just ain't true! The truths you've uttered through everything that's happened this year -- Nathan's hospitalizations, the trouble at work, my firing and the crap that happened after the newscast -- have been a balm to comfort as well as an encouragement to pick up and go on. To continue to be our friends in the face of others who could not or would not hold friendship above duty is a deep, deep blessing to me.
For my good friends here as well as the people I've met just this year by "random comment" -- I am thankful for the perspective that you've brought to my life.
I've cried with you and laughed with you through your posts. You've made me think and have challenged me. And by your example in response to people's problems and events you've taught me more about living a truly Christian life than many sermons I've heard from a pulpit (though some of you might shudder at that mention -- remember Ghandi said he had problems not with Christ but with some of his followers...).
For my sweet husband, my best friend, I am eternally thankful.
We have proven the adage that "friends stick together in all sorts of weather." You are my friend first and foremost. and then my husband and lover. Together we have come through some pretty heavy junk, by the grace of God. I look forward to walking on, holding your hand and having more adventures this coming year, heart of my heart.
May all those serving our nation in the armed forces have a time of peace this Thanksgiving. May the wars end soon so they can return safe to their families and back to their lives.
May all those in our nation and around the world who know hunger and pain be taken care of this Thanksgiving. May we find new ways to ease their pain and hunger and empower them to be able to live their lives with dignity and honor.
May I see things through the eyes of love, not the eyes of self-centeredness. May my focus be less on me and more on someone else that needs the validation a hug can bring.
May the girl I met on the street in Austin and her friends be blessed this Thanksgiving and be able to love others and take care of them as much as she wants to.
May your day truly be full of thanks-giving, and may the blessing
of God rest upon your house, your family and your friends.