Being Thankful

This Thanksgiving I am feeling especially blessed. Perhaps it is because of the events of 9-11, and all the subsequent acts of terrorism, or perhaps it is because of my survival and healing of brain cancer, but, I am feeling much more appreciative this year. Regardless, I find myself being grateful for even the most simple of expressions.

This Thanksgiving it doesn’t matter what day we celebrate it on, as long as my family is together. Despite my younger son’s work schedule, Thanksgiving will be a family affair. A time to reconnect, a time to reestablish our relationships, a time to put differences aside for the day.

Past Thanksgivings I would have breathed every scent of my children in and made our time together slow, sweet, and memorable. Dishes and pots and pans would have waited. There would have been thoughts to share, conversations to have, and games to play.

This Thanksgiving I will rejoice a little differently. My oldest son, while living close by, will not share the holiday with me. My youngest son, he and I have decided since it is just the two of us, we will help out at the homeless shelter serving the Thanksgiving dinner to the less fortunate. That will be the best way for us to spend our Thanksgiving afternoon.

Of all the blessings that I count in my life, my children are at the very top. I look back on my life ... before my oldest son was born, and I realize that my life had no meaning, no value, no purpose until his birth. Since my oldest son has grown and moved onto his own life, it is my younger son who continues my purpose.

My children have loved me without condition. Except for the Father’s love, I’ve never known that before. How precious that is. When I look at my children, I am reminded of the amazing grace the Father has for me. There can be no other explanation for His goodness.

Births, weddings, family celebrations are all about love and creating memories ... memories that no camera could capture. These are the memories that can only be captured in our hearts.

What about you? Are you ready to shed the things that have no real value in your life? Are you prepared to prioritize so that the relationships that do have value, will also have a slice of your time?

This Thanksgiving, let’s all strive to enjoy the people who have meaning in our lives. Let’s remember the innocents who unwillingly gave their lives on the morning of September 11 and willingly give their time and lives in the war against terrorism. In doing that, let’s hold those we love close to our hearts so they know they are loved and valued by us.