This has been a rough year for my family very rough.  Life is short very short and I encourage all who read this to hold your loved ones just a little closer and to thank God for what you have because you never know when it will be the last time.   As I have learned this past year when one thing after another has persecuted us.   But still I am thankful.

We have had problems with a new neighbor over property lines,  My husband learned he has heart problems that if he is not careful it can kill him at any time.   Worst of all the angels came and took our precious grandson four year old Gerrin away on a beautiful summer evening suddenly.   We have problems since with media, hate mail and police over a pure accident that was no ones fault.   Still and all we have blessings.  We have family and friends standing by us and praying for us.   We have had friends from unexpected sources and help when we least expected it.  

I am thankful for the remaining grandchildren we have and for a new grandchild on the way.   I am thankful for God and his mercy and his love.  I am thankful my grandson did not suffer and have pain or become a quadraplegic but instead is now with Jesus in the safest place in the universe.    I am thankful for my husband and every day is a gift from God when I wake and he is still with me another day.   

I am thankful for living in a nation in which we still have freedoms and people show how compassionate they are

I am thankful for my home and warmth and roof over my head and being surrounded by family and my daughter, son in law and their children who live with us and the joy of still being able to cuddle and rock Gerrin’s sister and baby brother.  I am thankful for my sons who all look in on us and make sure we are doing okay.  

I am thankful my husband is still able to work albeit only part time.    I am thankful I can still see and hear and sing and can walk.    I am thankful for beauty around me and living in the woods where I hear the creek running, the birds singing in spring and summer and there is an abundance of wildlife that goes through my back yard each day is a gift.    I am thankful for my ability to sing and to write and be creative.    I am thankful for Jesus love and his gift of salvation.    I am thankful for love and joy and peace in places I did not know about.  I am thankful for God’s holy word and the help of the holy spirit  that helps me understand it.    

I am thankful we have plenty of food on our table and we are not in the street or in the cold.   I know what its to be homeless as I have been there many years ago all of one summer.   I know what it is to dig through dumpsters seeking food for my children for a meal.   I know what it is to be stranded and alone.   To lose someone you love.  I have lost a son, a daughter and four grandsons and my parents and grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles.  I am thankful for the time I had with them some so short I did not get to hold them except under my heart, some for many years and some for only four short wonderful years full of memories of love and laughter.   Thank you God for it all and I pray for a much happier more abundantly blessed year in every way in the coming years ahead.   I hope I can dance again and rejoice and I look forward with hope for your Kingdom and Christ to come and pray it is very soon.   Thank you Lord for your blessings on me.   

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What are you thankful for?