Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving has arrived--a time to reflect and give thanks for the blessings this past year has brought to our family. Of course, the most obvious one is pictured above...our precious little Carson. Our lives have all been brightened by this little ray of sunshine! He has melted our hearts and given each of us pause to remember God's grace and faithfulness in a sometimes dreary world.

While I would certainly put Carson at the top of my "2010 Blessings" list, I would also add:

• My wonderful husband, David, who has shared my life, loved me unconditionally, and tolerated my moods for the past 35+ years
• My children Taylor, Blair, Jon, and Jeff who have given me more joy than I could possibly ever describe and who are endless sources of pride for me
• My beautiful daughter-in-love, Portia, who is EXACTLY who we prayed for our son to find (we just didn't know her name!)
• My sweet, Cathleen, who came into our family when the Lord called her precious mother home
• My brothers and their wives who have loved me simply because we're family and sometimes when I wasn't particularly lovable
• David's sisters and my brother-in-law who have become my best friends and who love me without reservation
• Countless friends and relatives who have supported me and encouraged me when the road of life has taken unexpected turns
• Jonathon's return to UGA, his beautiful spirit, and his continued recovery.

With the blessings, of course, has come heartache. It saddens me during the holidays that neither my parents nor David's are here with us. Although they are all celebrating with our heavenly Father, I still miss them terribly. This past year, however, brought a grief to this family unlike any we have ever experienced: Our precious nephew, Ross, left us to live on higher ground. His departure from this earth came suddenly and left us all with a hole in our heart that is slowly healing, although like most deep wounds will leave a scar forever. He was a beautiful spirit, a loving young man and a devoted friend, and is dearly missed by those who knew him and loved him. Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy, but when that loved one has not yet reached the prime of life, I think the parting is that much harder......we are just never ready. We are a resilient bunch, though; we have learned through hard times to lean on each other and to trust in our God. Through His love and sovereign grace, we are strengthened and given the courage to face all that challenges us, knowing that He will never forsake us and that when our life's journey threatens to overwhelm us, he will gently guide us through the darkness.

Our Father who is in Heaven
We lift our hearts to you
In praise and adoration for
All we are in You

Our paths have not been easy
We’ve faced our share of grief
We’ve said goodbye to loved ones
Whose journey here was brief

For those who’ve gone before us
We ask you, Lord, today
To let them know that ‘though they’re missed
The love we have inside our hearts will never go away

And ‘though we do not understand
We trust in Your full grace
That one day when we leave this earth
We’ll see them face to face

But until then, we pledge this day
To live and laugh and love
And not forget the blessings
We’ve received from You above.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-24-2010