Dear readers, Happy Thanksgiving. Our virtual community is one of the many things for which I am giving thanks today. Even when we disagree, or perhaps especially when we disagree, our dialogue helps me understand that no matter the circumstances, an attitude of gratitude makes for a happy life. Back when I started this blog, I could only dream of the day that I would feel mostly grateful -- instead of mostly confused and bitter -- for my childhood in the OALC. I can honestly say that day has come. The loss of one commmunity opened up so many others.
So I'll be lifting my glass of cheap "champagne" (Chateau St. Michelle Extra Dry de Costco) to you, my friends, around 6:30 pm PST.
To your health and happiness!
(Photo credit goes to my hubby, from the last time we opened the bubbly. The image on the TV is a clue to when that was.)
Happy Thanksgiving a day late to all of my cyber travelers. I was busy spending the day with my IRL family and cooking, cleaning, laughing etc.
ReplyDeleteOne of my pastors once said that when we pray we should first say our thank yous, then pray for our country and leaders, then the widows and orphans and all of the strangers in need, then our family and friends with specific needs, finally we end with our own requests. Think of your hand and five fingers to remember this. The point being, by the time we get to ourselves we will be about worn out so as to only ask for the important stuff and not have our prayer session be a "me me me" begging event. Food for thought.
When something unexpected and annoying happens to me as I'm hurrying to go out, delaying my departure, I always try to give thanks. Twice I've arrived on the scene of a multiple car accident because of my delay. Had I not had that last minute delay I would have surely been in the mess.
As for the women who refused to cry, I agree that God gave us the GIFT of tears and we should use them. He didn't mean for us to be hard and unyielding sticks or he wouldn't have given us emotions in the first place! But the red dress isn't all bad if you give grief and anger its allowance, then sport the red dress (or whatever happy color) as a sign even to yourself that it will be all right in time. Personally, I’d rather have everyone show up for my funeral in a rainbow of bright colors and smile saying she lived a good life and really learned what "it is what it is" means. Because if there is one great lesson in life; we have to understand that some things can’t be changed or modified to make them more pleasant. We just need to roll up our sleeves and plunge forward, accepting what we need to accept. Sorrow, anger, tears and even the giggles are all grand and necessary things; as long as we keep moving! It is when we get stuck in a rut, in whatever way we humans are capable of, that we lose. Geez, I know what I’m thinking here but the words to express are just not coming out clear!
Today and every day I am thankful for you, my friends who share an ancestry with me. We may not agree on everything. But we are all a bunch of stubborn Finns and survivors and that is enough commonality for this traveler!
Ijumped
My Gratitude for Today: I am grateful for visiting grandchildren and grateful to have my home back! It was fun to have all the noise and chaos in the house, but I found I'm not cut out for it long-term. I'd adjust if I had to, I'm sure, but for today, I'm grateful for the peace and quiet.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore my grandbabies and wish I could see them more frequently. It's difficult being a long-distance grandma.
Blessings to all of you!
SISU
Hi Sisu--LLLreader here. I get to have it both ways! I am raising one grandchild (with all the ups and downs that involves). The other ones live so far away I only see them twice a year. There ain't no happy medium at my house. I had to wait a long time to be a grandma and still can't believe how those little ones can just capture your heart. Isn't it a wonder? I was at the airport picking up my 4 year old granddaughter. She came tearing ahead of her family screaming "Grandma, Grandma". I was touched by that naturally, but also was very moved by the reaction of people standing around me. Big smiles on faces--just sharing the joy of the moment with us. God Bless em'
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say hi, and thank you for starting this blog. I don't know much about the OALC, but I am going thru a deconversion from the FALC, and I think I'm going to start a blog for others like me. If you don't mind, I'd like to post a link to your blog, for anyone who might be interested.
ReplyDelete