What is Thanksgiving or what is sometimes referred to as Turkey Day? Sadly, most of the time, I think of turkey, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, green bean casserole, homemade buns, and lefse. While these are all wonderful things, they are really not what Thanksgiving is all about.
This year, I am ever more understanding of what it means to be thankful, truly thankful for the blessings in my life. Last Thanksgiving, we hosted the holiday at our beautiful Forest House. We were surrounded by family and we had a wonderful feast, lots of laughter, and just an all around great day. If I had known last year what life would be like between last Thanksgiving and this, I would have cherished the time even more.
This year, Forest House sits in ruin and what was once a beautiful home is now a shell with no warmth to be found. No fire in the fireplace, no turkey cooking in the oven, and no laughter within the neighborhood, but yet, even in all of this, there is still hope and blessing.
Hope of a better future. Hope of the unseen. A belief that no matter what, there is a reason to be thankful for the blessings that have come our way.
Even in this time of uncertainty, I find blessings around every corner. As I reflect on the last year, I can think of so many ways that we have been blessed and it makes my heart swell.
STorage spaces for our things after the evacuations
Hugs
Answered Prayers
Numerous people who called and listened for hours on end
Kind words
Support from so many people near and far
Generosity of friends, family, and strangers
Invitations from people offering a place to stay
MoVing days full of help from friends and family
MaIl from all over the US offering encouragement and support
Notes of encouragement
Help with Gutting Forest House
On this Thanksgiving, I say thank you. Thank you to every single person who has been there for us during the flood. Whether you helped us move, gave us a place to stay, offered support, listened, cried with us, supported us financially, sent cards and care packages, offered storage spaces for our stuff, helped gut our house, and most importantly, prayed us through this, we extend a HUGE THANK YOU! You will never know how much your support has helped us in the face of this adversity. It has made us realize even more how blessed we are to be surrounded by family and friends who truly care and were willing to be there in a moments notice to help. We will be forever grateful for the blessings you have brought to our lives. May you be blessed beyond measure for blessing us in so many ways.
This thanksgiving, take the time to say a prayer of thanks to God for your blessings and reflect on the many things we all have to be thankful for. It really is amazing when you take the time to ponder on these things. Happy Thanksgiving!