Thanksgiving Blessings To You All!

Happy Thanksgiving! May God's blessings be with you all.

I am so very thankful for so many people and things in my life. I am so blessed! I've been reflecting on this today as I have a quiet day before our "troops" arrive. It would take me pages and pages to write it all down. But, I would like to share a few thoughts here.

In the past I had my parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles. I still have many cousins and immediate family, though some of them are gone too. All are dear and have blessed me and influenced me to be the person I am today.

I've also had two wonderful mothers-in-law. My first husband and his family. All gone now but forever in my heart.

My dear husband, Jim, and his boys and step-mom have embraced me and made me one of their own. Even his cousins treat me like a sister. What more could I ask for?

God has blessed us with three beautiful grandchildren, Erica, Alex and Tyler. They delight me and I am so thankful for their health and exuberence. Shouldn't we be allowed to bottle some of that for when we grow older?

I've reflected upon my marriage vows today. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness & health. These are important words to me! I meant them when I said them and they ring true today still!

I am so thankful for my faith and my friends. Yes, internet friends too! God has blessed me richly. I pray that I can be a good and faithful servant. A caring friend. I'm working on keeping a thankful spirit through joys and sorrows (mine and my friends').

God has given us a bounty of richness. I think of so many with so little in worldly goods yet they have such rich hearts. I think of all our service people, separated from their families. All their families preparing for the holidays without a loved one near. I pray for their safety and am thankful for their enduring service to our country.

I pray for our president and elected officials. May they serve the people of this country faithfully and reach out to God in prayer and conscience.

I wish all my dear readers a bountiful Thanksgiving celebration. And as my dad would say "keep it short, the food's getting cold".

BTW, my dried cranberries turned out delicious! Not as pretty as CRAISINS but so much more healthy. And thank you Tracy for the wonderful Cranberry-Pecan Pie recipe. I found it on-line.