Thankfulness

Thanksgiving is right around the corner now, and its a good time to think about all the things we have to be thankful for in our lives. I often think about the early years of the pilgrims and how difficult their day to day life would be. The statistics for survival in those early years tells a sad story, yet they celebrated their thankfulness for whatever they had. We have so much these days and yet complain when we stand in line longer than we think we should. There are young children that complain when they don't have the latest cell phone or the newest computer, yet forget to think about how blessed they are to have a dray and warm bed to sleep in where snow and rain do not come in through the cracks.

More of us go to bed worried about being overweight, than go to bed without food in the house. We have so much to be grateful for, to feel blessed about even on what may seem like our darkest day. We have life, we have freedom, we have easy access to communication. Most of us know love in some degree.

This morning as I worked around the house, getting things ready for the holiday, cleaning under beds, washing floors and waxing them, I thought how blessed I am to live in a home where the floors can be washed and waxed, they are not made of mud. I felt blessed that on Thursday our little home will be full of family and the table spread with plenty. That I can easily tell each person at the table that I love them and mean it. I feel blessed beyond words for a life uncomplicated. I am thankful for being the 10th great grand-daughter of Frances Cooke who sailed on the Mayflower and settled in Plymouth and got to see his great grandchildren, his life was long and his family flourished. I am thankful for having roots that tell the story of seeking religious freedom and risking everything to live wholly for God.

I am thankful for so many things...

Love

Freedom

Children to love and be loved by

Grandchildren, such joy

Lack of want

Cupboards full of food

Fresh water to drink

Phones, computers and mail

Faith

Hope

A lifestyle I love

Eyes that see

Ears that hear

Music

Hand holding

Never feeling lonely

Money to pay the bills

The beauty of creation to behold every day

Good health

Energy

Being able to sleep soundly every night

Good relationships with my children

Being in love and being loved

The changing of seasons

Tradition

History