I spend every day thinking about what we have and those who have so much less. I talk with RayRay as often as I can bring up the subject about caring for the people around us whether we know them or not and giving to those that dont have enough or anything at all. This year it came up and we talked about how some families dont have homes or enough warm clothes or food. In the recent economic slides to hell, this is a common sight all around us. Our own home was a foreclosure, a constant reminder of how it all could go bad so quickly. It breaks my heart and makes me cry every time I think of a child that could be cold or hungry or forgotten in the distress of a families financial disaster. I try to explain some of these things in gentle 4 year old language that wont scare our precious kind hearted son but still I want him to grow a love of caring for others and learn to be thankful as well.
This year we ALL had a lesson in how precious and tenuous life can be when we almost lost my stepfather to the awful truck accident that all of you heard about. While he was in ICU, in the next room over, they brought in a mother of a young child (about Rays age) and she had been pregnant-also in a terrible car accident. As you will sometimes hear in close quarters like the ICU, I heard that she lost the baby. Mom told me that they allowed the father to bring in the child and everyone was crying. We dont know but we dont believe she ever woke up and very soon after (too soon to have been transferred to a stepdown, but we can pray we were wrong) the room was empty again. I think about her, sometimes it will pop into my head for no reason, maybe because I'm driving, and I will start to cry. I dearly hope that she is spending Thanksgiving with her family this week talking about that awful car accident she was in and how Thankful she is to be with them. Though it hasnt been an easy road by any means, we are eternally Thankful that we have my stepfather with us and I know it was Divine intervention that he is still here.
In just the last year ive lost both my grandparents on my father's side. Even for that I can be Thankful since I know precious few of anyone that at my age have their grandparents still. I was able to not only enjoy them for a long time but also introduce my son to them. Every time I bake with him, I take the time to talk about his great grandma and how much she loved us. He's getting to know the stories himself. My family and I may not get along from time to time but I would be a shell of the person that I am without them and the love ive experienced over the years.
This year isnt quite done yet and all of my precious family is not safe at home. My cousin will be saying his Thanks in Afghanistan. His pregnant wife and 2 young girls here in the states waiting for his safe return. I'm so worried but my worry is probably dwarfed by theirs. I'm Thankful for his continued safety and the fact that what he does, by serving in our military, is why I can celebrate Thanksgiving and many other freedoms that I (and You) enjoy.
As I do every year, I reflect on the fact that we are fed, we are warm, we have jobs that pay our bills and we have the most loving angel child (even when he's being typically 4). We have friends that care about us and that we care about as well. We are a family that has fun and loves each other and I see alot of positive changes for our future. Ive lived close to the edge before but its always been ok in the end. No matter how bad things have been, its always passed by. In all honesty, I believe that Divine intervention has alot to do with that. As the recent quote ive found says "Faith makes things possible, not easy"...no, this year has not been easy but it has certainly shown what can be possible with Faith. So I'm Thankful for my Faith in God that has carried us through this year and will carry me through the next. I pray that my family & friends are safe, warm & fed. I pray that their families & friends are safe, warm & fed. I appreciate all of you and hope that sometime soon, I can give you a hug and tell you that in person. May your Thanksgiving be peaceful and soul soothing and this next year a good one.
Love
Amy
