Ten Things I’m Thankful For
Ten Things I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving
- Faith and the freedom to worship. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have to hide to worship and know that if you are caught you will be imprisoned or worse but I know there are countries where that happens. I love our little church and my brothers and sisters who attend there. We serve an awesome God who sent His only son to the cross so that we may have hope of eternity in Heaven. I can never, ever be thankful enough.
- Family near and far. Especially my hard working husband of almost 40 years. Little did we know when we met in the Florida Keys all those years ago what life had in store for us! I love him even more than the day we said “I do. And I love and cherish my 4 sons and daughter. Add to that 7 grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins and all the people they are married to or will be married to , and you have a whopping family that I am so thankful for!!
- Friends (new and old.) As long as I live I plan on making new friends. The world is full of wonderful people and I never tire of hearing someone I just met tell me their life story. BUT I love my old friends even more because they love me warts and all and have for years and years! What a blessing your friendship is to me!
- A roof over my head. My recent trip to Los Angelos reminded me that not everyone is blessed with a home. I saw so many homeless people that it literally made my heart ache. Some had tents. Some didn’t. One man was asleep on a vinyl couch on the sidewalk. I still see them at night when I close my eyes.
- A soft comfortable bed to sleep in. This sort of goes with number 4 but in addition to a roof, a bed is nice. If you have ever slept on a bad mattress (I had one you could feel the coils in it) you know that a soft, comfortable bed is a blessing. We spend a large part of our life asleep and I’m thankful that I have a good mattress and a soft pillow.
- The beauty of nature. We live on a farm in Kentucky and I’m surrounded by God’s gift of nature. There woods, ponds, wildflowers, and gently rolling hills all around me. It reminds me of the Louis Armstrong song, “What A Wonderful World.”
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
7. Critters big and small. I love animals but not mice, snakes or turkey mites. I went walking through the weeds a few weeks ago and got turkey mite bites. I’ve clawed my legs until they have bled several times. I’m sure I’ll have scars. I have also had a nest of mice in my car (momma mouse and babies) and I am not a fan of driving around while mice run through my vehicle. And I hate snakes. Big ones. Little ones. I don’t care. I hate them all. Other than that…I love animals. Especially canines. They love humans unconditionally and are always loyal. Grandchildren kisses are the best but doggie kisses are good too.
8. Food and water. I like having food in the refrigerator when I’m hungry but I know not everyone has that luxury. Nor does everyone have running water (or clean water.) When my mom and dad got married they lived in a house without running water or a bathroom. Mom carried water from across the road. I can’t imagine being married at the age of 16 (like mom) and having a baby when you are 17. Then add to that no running water and cloth diapers. Ugh. I’m sure Mom thought, “What in the world have I done?” but some how she survived and so did I.
9. My country, state and little town. I’m a history major and I believe with all my heart that every American has an obligation to their country, state and town. I vote in every election. I love saying the Pledge of Allegiance and I wouldn’t trade Kentucky or my little town for all the gold in Fort Knox (if there’s any left. I suspect we’ve spent it all by now.)
10. NanaHood friends and family. (Special shout out to Char, Lisa, Melinda and Karen for helping me with technical things, writing and social media). NanaHood’s readers and those who follow us on social media, you are so kind. I love that you love being a grandmother. Family-And I can’t close without mentioning the 7 little darlings who call me “Nana.” You put the “grand” in grandchildren and I adore you!
That’s my Top Ten Things I’m Thankful for….how about you?
And a very happy Thanksgiving back to you! You have pretty well covered all the bases in a general way, and all of us will need to insert our “special” thankful-worthy parts of our lives. For sure, we need to have the heavy emphasis (as you did!) on God, Family, and Country!
Love you, and the great work you do with Nanahood!!
Beautifully written, Teresa! And so you…the kindest, most genuine person and a great friend. I agree with all these…especially the one about loving to meet new people and hear their life story! Isn’t it amazing when you meet random folks and voila, a new friend! Hope your family will mostly be together today…we’ve all so much to be thankful for! Love and blessings! ?????