So thankful

On this night before Thanksgiving, I thought I would take a moment to remember all of the many things for which I am thankful.

And I am....SO thankful.

When I was little, Thanksgiving was a flurry of turkey and mashed potatoes, stressed out female relatives slaving in the kitchen, endless piles of dirty dishes, turkey wishbones, football on the tv, wax pilgrim and Indian candles, crunchy piles of fall leaves, and long car drives to the Quad Cities where my grandparents lived.

This year, our Thanksgiving will be simple. We are going out to dinner, so I have plenty of time to write, and pause, and just say thank you for all the blessings of my life:

• for afternoon walks with my husband on the new nature trail just blocks from our home.
• for unexpected vintage treasures, like the two yards of tiki fabric I found at the thrift store today.
• for my daughter, who is fifteen, sweet and smart, and has not yet tormented me with teenage angst.
• for a job that I love - teaching and writing at Moody Bible Institute.
• for my automatic coffee maker that inspires me to put my feet on the ground at 5 am.
• for rock and roll music that moves and inspires me...for Buddy and Elvis and Patsy and Johnny.
• for my family, now spread apart in Florida and Oregon and Chicago. We share so many memories and have weathered many storms. I love you all!
• for our health - praising God for mom's recovery from breast cancer and my mom-in-law's successful stent surgery. thankful for doctors and healing and survival.
• for my goofy dog,  Buddy, who greets me every morning and stares at me with adoring eyes.
• for friends who love to shop and dance and eat out and talk about obscure things that only we understand and appreciate.
• for Door County and its miraculous sunsets and delicious fudge and cherry pie.
• for God and His Word that speaks to my heart and feed my soul.
• for the Streetwise vendor who always gave me a smile and is spending this Thanksgiving in a better place.
• for costumes and creativity and Cheese Days and Acen.
• for Chicago with its soaring buildings and winding river, glittering storefronts and masses of tourists.
• for each of you....my readers. You are amazing! I appreciate that you take the time to read what I write and to leave your comments. Thank you!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!