Thanksgiving! Have you ever noticed how it always seems to get stuck between Halloween and Christmas? Well, that’s because it is! And in more ways than one. It’s squeezed so tightly between them that it’s almost overlooked, especially in retail. We tend to go straight from Halloween right into Christmas.
Are we not a people of gratitude, kindness, and remembrance?
Makes you wonder when we shift into “buying mode” so quickly.
I, for one, would like time to truly be thankful, to be kind, and to remember those no longer with us, and so much more. We tend to take for granted that the people we love will always be with us, our spouses, our homes, until they aren’t. Isn’t that true about so many things? Our cars, our jobs, our health, and yes, our spouses. I always thought I would have Mitch with me long after I was gone. Until…
May 5, 2019. Everything changed. I no longer had someone to take care of the repairs around the house, the bills, the yard work, having the car serviced, picking up groceries, doing the taxes, and did I mention he did all the cooking? The list goes on and on. Was I thankful at the time for all he did? Probably not enough, if at all. Why? Because I took for granted that he would always be here. Now I am beyond grateful for everything Mitch did. Now I’m thankful I had that home on the golf course. Now I’m grateful for the Mercedes I drove proudly. Now I’m grateful his paycheck paid the bills. Now, when I sit at home most evenings alone, with no one asking me to grab them a drink when I get up or make popcorn during a commercial, I ask myself: Why did I complain about those tiny things that were so insignificant, yet I made such a big deal out of them?
I remember telling him, “I think the only reason you got married was so someone would wait on you hand and foot,” which I knew wasn’t true, but sometimes it felt that way. I’m sure some of you can relate, right?
Thanksgiving should be a day of gratitude, thankfulness, and remembrance. I see now how the Lord blessed me so much for 42 years. He provided so well for our family. The sad part is that, back then, I didn’t stop during Thanksgiving to truly ponder how blessed I was.
Sometimes it takes losing everything to realize what you did have.
Now, after being a widow for nearly seven years, I remember daily how blessed I am, even now. I have a roof over my head, decorated in pink, a red car with butterflies everywhere, a wonderful job, and best of all, even before Mitch passed, the Lord was with me. I don’t even remember the first Thanksgiving after Mitch died. No memory at all. But I do have this, an attitude of gratitude.
I am thankful for so much: my sisters in Christ, Beauty from Ashes Ministry, my home, car, job, church, freedom, family, health, and most of all for the One who provides it all, JESUS CHRIST, MY LORD AND SAVIOR.
Without Him, I would be nothing. Yes, we enjoy the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, and let’s not forget the desserts, but above all… But above all, REMEMBER TO GIVE THANKS!
