It seems that November has been dubbed Thanksgiving Month, a 30 day period in which we are to share a daily expression of each of the things for which we are thankful in our lives. If that is the expectation, I'm afraid I failed miserably. I haven't even posted anything (other than Jon's "toast") since our son, Jeff, married his sweet Sarah back in June! Talk about a slacker--that's me with a capital "S"!
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Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Clark
June 9, 2012 |
Since the beginning of the month, I've read the "Today I am thankful for..." posts (in blogs and on Facebook) from my friends and family and have been filled with a growing sense of guilt that I wasn't sharing my gratitude for the many, many blessings of my life--and anyone who knows me knows that my family and I have been blessed beyond measure! I have a husband who loves me in spite of (certainly not because of) my flaws and who has been my soft place to fall for the better part of 38 years, and I have four amazing adults who make me incredibly proud to be their mother, and two (soon to be three) spouses-in-love who honor me in loving my sons and daughter. I have a grandson who makes me smile on a daily basis! :) I have a young woman who loves me as her "Atlanta" Mom, a precious girl whose own mother was called Home several years ago; I often refer to her as my "daughter from another mother" and am truly blessed by her sweet spirit. I have three brothers, five sisters-in-love, and a brother-in-love with whom I share countless memories, some that still make me cry and some that make me laugh. I have nine nieces and nephews, many of them with spouses, and five great nieces and nephews. I have friends who hold me accountable and who, too, accept me in spite of my faults. I am so very blessed.
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"Most" of the Clark/Shaw/Elliott Clan
Pre-wedding gathering June 2012 |
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Captain Carson Reporting for Duty!
I always did love a cute fireman! ;) |
Couldn't resist sharing this one!
Above all, I have a God who loves me unconditionally and without whom, I am nothing. The blessings of my life are not because of who
I am, but because of who
He is. He has walked with me in the valleys, and He has stood with me on the mountaintops, and never once deserted me. He has shown me over and over again how much He loves me and given me cause to believe in miracles. Because of Him, I know that no matter what happens in my life, I will still call myself blessed, not because of what I've done to deserve those blessings, but because He, above all others, loves me in spite of my shortcomings and because He WANTS to bless me! For that, I say "Happy Thanksgiving Year"--I pray I never grow complacent and that I keep an attitude of gratitude, not just in the month in which it's expected, but every day of the year.
May God bless you and yours always,
-Mary
1 Thessalonians 5:18
