Thank you God that I'm alive... Yesterday we were on our way to Thanksgiving dinner at some friends' house and we saw 2 accidents on the way. I said a silent prayer for whoever was in those cars and I also thanked God that we were safe. I realize that every day that I am alive is a gift from God. It's a privilege and one that should not be taken for granted. We don't know when it will be our last day on earth. Although I believe in eternal life with Jesus Christ, death is not something I am anticipating. In fact, I wish I would just live until Jesus returned.
Thank you God that I am healthy...being sick is never easy. While I am sensitive to people living with major illnesses, I would never want to have to walk in their shoes. So I thank God for every day that I am healthy and today I am very well.
Thank you God for my family...I love my husband and I love my children. I'm so grateful for every day, even every minute that I spend with them. Yesterday while we were eating Thanksgiving dinner, I had a very emotional moment. It wasn't obvious to anyone because it was all internal. When I looked around at the faces at the table, I had a brief moment of sadness. The moment passed quickly because I didn't dwell on it and allow it to ruin my evening. However, I was just wishing that I was surrounded by my own family (parents & other relatives). Also, Greg was not sitting at the table with us because he was attending to Arjay while I eat first. Adryana was sitting next to me and I just looked over at her and squeezed her hand. Making contact with her was important because right at that moment she was the only family I had with me at Thanksgiving dinner and that made me sad. When you have young children things become a give and take and so I didn't really mind that Greg was with Arjay in another part of the house. We realized that having him at the table could have been disastrous because we didn't want him to destroy the table in all its fanciness. It was more the fact that when you looked around at all the faces at the table ours (mine and Adryana's) were different and it made me sad. Both our friends had their parents and siblings with them. Our friends were really welcoming and it was super sweet of them to have us over for dinner. But it just wasn't the same as being around our family and relatives. Still I am thankful that I have people who love and care about me. I'm thankful that I was able to sit at a table for Thanksgiving dinner, because I do realize that there are many that do without. In the end, we had a great time with our friends and their families. It was an okay Thanksgiving too. We enjoyed the food and the fellowship.
1 comment:
I understand, Kerry. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. We always had it at my mother in law's in Maryland. We didn't go to our church in MD because of family, we were truly called there at the time and we lived about 1 hour from my husband's family but we went there often. Thankgiving was always so special. I think I'm a good cook, but my mother in law is just outstanding at so many things including gravy! And, I felt more relaxed and not so responsible for everything. While I'd make a few dishes, she did the majority and I would even have time to lay on the couch and watch TV with the fam and just snuggle up...but no more, I'm the "Mom in charge" who does the bulk of the cooking. :-) I don't mind in that sense, but I do miss being with everyone. When we first knew we were called to move to FL, my first thought was, "We will not have Thanksgiving at Moms anymore..." and I did shed some tears over it but then had to move on...and it was hard that first year but we made it.
One thing I try to do now is fill up our house on Thanksgiving especially with people who are away from family, or aren't able to go home for some reason, or those who just want to come for whatever reason...it helps me to be busy with a bustling household and not be focused on the fact that we are not at my MIL's. Helping other people helps me move beyond pretty much anything...
You have little ones so obviously hosting something at your house is not do-able right now, and you are dealing with having to "eat in shifts". (I remember that...oh my, it was a hard season...I used to save something yummy like a piece of cake or something for Larry and I to share together each night after the kids were in bed and we could at least have one thing together, but I don't recommend it, I gained a lot of weight that way!!! LOL) But anyway, I am glad you went to your friends house because it was a good idea for you to be surrounded by people although you couldn't be with your extended family that day.
Don't know why I went on and on with this other than to say, "I understand" and that I have found it's easiest to have the holiday with as many people as possible rather than stay home by ourselves.
Love you,
pd
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