My Top Ten Things I Am Thankful For

Today is Thanksgiving and although it's a day to recognize what we're grateful for, I for one, could be practicing this all year long. I haven't been in the mood to write for a long time. Probably because I've been so distressed about the shape of things in our country.  Sad!  It's been a year and I still haven't really gotten used to who is in charge. 

SO, now that's over with, I will begin my list of what I am thankful for:

1. God and his gracious love and patience with me (and everyone for that matter.)  I am a Christ follower and have been since 1972 (at 9 p.m.)  This is the one thing I have no regrets about....choosing to put my faith in an unseen God and a man who went around saying he was God and teaching that religious people were white washed tombs.  I am thankful that I know that the opposite of faith is not doubt, but control or wanting control; it explains a lot.

2. I am thankful for my health. It makes a huge difference; especially at my age.  I am strong, healthy and full of life and hope. 

3. I am thankful for my family.  They too are healthy and strong. 

4. I am thankful for the material things in my life and the joy and beauty they give me.  My home, my car, water, red wine, food,  clothing, etc.  I am extremely fortunate that when I sit down in the evenings I love all that I see.

5. Now on to the deeper things.....I am thankful for thoughts that I think that don't leave me in a stagnant place. Although I have faith, my faith has changed and evolved in so many ways. Now, rather than following blindly, I question, I wonder and meditate.



6. I am grateful that although I have lost loved ones to physical death, I feel them around me at times. It's such an amazing, 'other worldly' feeling.  Just the other day I was at my daughter's house and my grand-daughter was playing music.  "Time After Time" came on.  It was a song that played the night before my mother died. And in an "other worldly" way, my mother communicated to me from beyond that it was her song to me.  When I hear it, I stop and feel her so vividly.








7. I am grateful for the pain that I have gone through in life. Although at the time I needed convincing, it has made me a stronger, more compassionate person.




8. I am grateful that I can pray, for without that communication, I would surely be lost.





9. I am grateful for music, it is food to my soul.







10. And lastly, I am grateful for the humans I have helped in my life.  Without them, I would have no purpose to be alive. They have helped me more than I have helped them.  To this day I have flashes of memories in the form of pictures in my mind of these individuals. I am very grateful to have been a part of their lives even if just for a short time. 






And there you have it. Happy Thanksgiving and love to you from me.