thankful

I’ve just finished my Bible study. Carving out that time every day provides me a place of refuge and I’m thankful for the brief periods of respite it brings.

And so, in the spirit of His unyielding grace, I thought I’d take a few moments to do just that: be thankful.

I’m thankful for all the crazy children in my family, who’ve duct-taped strange objects to ceiling fans and played weird games and had loud jam sessions on the weekends, and who’ve filled my days with music and fun. For my friends who, because they love me, have eagerly accepted my noisy and intrusive family without hesitation.

I’m thankful for the kindness of strangers. For friends I’ve met near and far have forever changed my life. For snowflakes and lilacs and sunsets. For my siblings and their families. For weekend brunches, dance parties, Disney sing-alongs, and unexpected hugs and I love yous. 

I’m thankful for my college friends, my sorority sisters, my church friends, and my writing friends. For friends who know my faults, who see my vulnerable spots, and who love me despite them.

I’m thankful for the doctors and nurses who try to extend my vision and the friends who try to heal my soul. For those who give me a reason to fight, and the ones who permit me to rest in my weakness.

I’m thankful for the hills that hug me and the mountains that taught me how to navigate life. For Eastern Kentucky and coal mines and commitment to God and family. For Totz and Red Bud Hill. For Howards and Irvins and Cornetts and Gilberts.

I’m thankful for the ocean with its crashing waves and strong undertow that makes me feel small and humble in the light of God.

I’m thankful for the time I spent sitting with Dad and my daily check-ins with Mom. I’m thankful for making up silly stories and giggling with Polly, for long phone calls full of nonsense and laughter with Bruce, and for the many extended visits with Judy, where we’d laugh about nothing and talk about everything. I’m thankful for their unfailing love and support as they grew older and weaker.

I’m thankful for my nieces and nephews, whose energy and idealism give me hope for the future. For my aunts and uncles and cousins, whose visions of the world continue to challenge and influence me. For my poet friends, my artist friends, and my musician friends for how they nurture my creative spark.

I’m thankful for the technology that brings faraway friends and loved ones closer.

I’m thankful for the blindness that taught me how to see more clearly than some who are fully sighted, and for the disease that demonstrates the truth in the saying that life isn’t measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.

I’m thankful for the moon that’s been a constant companion, and the stars that give me reason to dream.

I’m thankful for eyeglasses and books and puppies and wind chimes. I’m thankful for river birches and dark chocolate and great blue herons and sunrises.

I’m thankful to Jesus, for His gift of salvation and His undying love. I’m thankful for the knowledge that I will see my loved ones again, and that one day I’ll come face to face with the One who loves me like no other. I’m thankful for the opportunity to share my testimony, to assure the undecided that death has been undeniably defeated, and to walk humbly in the light of my Lord and Savior.

I’m thankful for the fire at the hearth, for the sunshine above my roof, and for the music in my ears.

And finally, yes, I’ll be forever thankful for all of you. Whether you realize it or not, you continue to be a part of my journey and you’ll always be etched firmly on my heart. 

Until next time, my friends. Be good to each other.