As a family, we are incredibly blessed.  Thanksgiving is a day for reflection, the upshot of which leaves me wondering why I ever complain about anything, because God has granted me every fervent request I have ever asked of Him.  To name a few:

I give thanks for the most wonderful partner, friend, and soulmate that a woman could ever imagine.  Greg and I will celebrate our 27th anniversary on February 13th, 2015, but our wedding day seems like yesterday.  I tell people that I still feel like a bride, and no doubt they think I am exaggerating.  I am not. I am so lucky to be told daily how loved and beautiful I am (even when bedhead strikes, and gravity is no longer my body’s best friend.)  Our marriage is my life’s blessing that eclipses all others.

I give thanks for my daughter, Jennifer, and her precious family. Our grandsons, Riley & Reese, are amazing little guys, with wonderful personalities, droll senses of humor (wonder where they get that from?) and caring, considerate ways.  We feel fortunate to live close enough to participate in their lives, and watch them grow up to be the fine young men they show every promise of becoming.

I am thankful for the longevity of our parents.  Greg’s Dad will turn 90 next year (I feel a big party coming on!).  His Mom & my Dad will soon be 88 years young.  As we sat around the dining room table yesterday, sharing food, wine, and spirited conversation, I reflected on the gift of health.  As a family, we have been blessed with an abundance of this commodity.  On December 21st, four generations will be seated at that same table, as we share another Christmas meal together.  (Greg’s side of the family now has five generations of family members that gather together!)

I give thanks for friends old, new, and yet undiscovered.  I give thanks to you, my growing community of subscribers to this blog. And I especially am grateful to still have the freedom to state my views, publicly, without recrimination.

I am thankful for Bear. (No kidding!)

And finally, I thank God for allowing us to find the exact house we needed, at an affordable price, at the exact time we so desperately needed it.  That house, located in a town we have grown to love, has become much more than just an address.  Greg’s Mom, sitting in the living room yesterday, seated in a wing chair in front of a crackling fire, said “this place feels like home to me”.  Yes, we have the blessing of HOME, and for that we are eternally grateful.

The remodeling process we have recently undergone (and it isn’t completed yet!) has caused undue stress on all of us. I allowed the frustration of the process to overshadow the realization that we could afford to take on this big project, which is the blessing.  As I prepared our Thanksgiving feast in my new kitchen, I was grateful for the beautiful, functional space* it has become:

I hope you have many blessings to reflect upon.  God bless us everyone.

*Better pics to come. Just couldn’t wait to share! ;>}