Threads of Gratitude: A Patchwork of Blessings

Today McGowen held their annual Thanksgiving Feast at school.  Of course, the kindergarten lunch was crowded with parents and grandparents all there to share in their little one’s special school lunch.  By third grade, the crowd had thinned out somewhat.  Grandma came and shared in lunch with both Trey and Crisana and Matt was able to join us for Trey’s lunch.  We had a great time together and enjoyed a brief – but memorable – meal.

As we shared turkey and stuffing and made plans for our own family Thanksgiving celebration, I realized just how special Thanksgiving will be this year…and how much I truly have to be grateful for.  Just little snippets of everyday life that remind me I am blessed beyond measure…

  • for two long-lost friends who – out of the blue – called me “just to say hi” this week…
  • for a special email from my brother that brought tears to my eyes…
  • for a piano students’ mother who dropped by with a frozen pizza kit for a night when I’ve “just had one of those days and can’t deal with dinner”…
  • for a neighbor who is giving Matt a chemo quilt…
  • for friends who ask how I’m doing and really mean it…
  • for friends who don’t ask how I’m doing, because they know I need to think about something else…
  • for complete strangers who have offered support and encouragement, because they’ve been through this, too…
  • for Girls’ Night Out and Bunco and OTGAT get-togethers where I can refresh my spirit through my dear friends…
  • for silly Cub Scout skits and nature hikes with my son…
  • for people who I don’t even know that are praying for us in churches across the country…
  • for God’s perfect timing…His provision…His sovreignty…His complete trustworthiness…His complete peace.

I don’t need to be stuffed with turkey and all the trimmings to feel full this Thanksgiving season.  I’m already stuffed, full of blessings and overflowing with gratefulness.