Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Because I keep forgetting

I had good intentions of ending every entry this month by naming something for which I'm thankful.  Since I keep forgetting to do this, I'll do a "thankful" entry right now:

I'm thankful for my childhood and for every aunt, uncle, cousin and grandparent that helped shape my life.  I'm thankful my parents raised me just the way they did, because even with all my flaws and all their mistakes, I have enjoyed my life exactly like it is.  And had I been raised differently, I wouldn't be the same "me".

I'm thankful for small towns.  Yes, everybody knows everybody's business, but there's something comforting about the community-feel of a village.

I'm thankful for midwest farm country, for the fact that I get to watch the crops grow from planting to harvest each year; and for the tractors and cattle and rural mailboxes that are scattered about the landscape.

I'm thankful for the wide variety of fresh produce available in grocery stores.  In the old days, the only fruits and vegetables people had in winter came from cans and jars.

I'm thankful that children no longer have to suffer with mumps and measles and polio, and other scourges that once were common.  Dear Lord, I remember having the whooping cough:  I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

I'm thankful for my children and grandchildren, and for the fact that they're all in good health and of sound mind.

I'm thankful for our forty-three acres. 

I'm thankful that we have a house to live in, and for the propane we're able to buy to heat it.

I'm thankful for dogs, and the way they can light up my life with affection and make me laugh with their antics.

I'm thankful I don't have to milk cows twice a day, or bake all my own bread... but I can if I want to.

I'm thankful for our motorcycle, which has been a big incentive in Cliff's recovery from open-heart surgery.  That Honda Gold Wing weighs over 800 pounds, and Cliff couldn't handle it very well until he started working out and building up muscle.  It has been a huge motivating force for him and, I'm sure, has accellerated his recovery.

I'm thankful for a husband who puts up with my eccentricities and loves to see me happy.

I'm thankful for all my Internet acquaintances, and for the fact that I've been able to meet so many of them face to face.  I'm thankful that my friend Lona, my very first real Internet friend, was able to call me today from rehab, and I pray she will regain her strength in time to enjoy Christmas.

I'm thankful I am able to pray, and that I have the privilege of praying for people I love.  I'm thankful for forgiveness, both from God and my fellowman.

I could go on like this for hours, but I think you get the idea.

How could I NOT be thankful?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

You do have a lot to be thankful for as we all do. I am thankful today for the tornatic weather to bypass us and all our loved ones and our friends and neighbors also. It would take a long time to list all I am thankful for also. Helen

Anonymous said...

forty-three acres
I hope that one day
we can live in a home
where there's a bit more room
between our houses :)

Anonymous said...

You are blessed that's for sure - me too!  When we start counting our blessings it seem endless.  So much to be thankful for !  'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

I am blessed and thankful for you.

Anonymous said...

And I am thankful for journals like yours.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful entry, Donna.  I am glad that I found you in this great big world known as Jland..  I have learned so much from you.. and for that I am thankful...

Jackie

Anonymous said...

I am thankful that I know you Mosie, thankful that you wrote a beautiful book of poems that I keep here on my desk, and thankful that you have been here for me when I most needed a friend!
love ya,
carlene

Anonymous said...

Can I have your life?....I know people who have a list and arent grateful...I think its lovely that you do...in all the good in bad in life, some of us are very lucky....I would love to make homemade bread but I'm convinced I'm mentally handicapped..lol.-Raven

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful I can enjoy your life through your wonderful words and photographs.  I'm blessed that you consider me a friend and thankful for it. I'm thankful that you open my eyes to see all the blessings I have.

Anonymous said...

Well said.
June

Anonymous said...

Very well put....we all seem to overlook even the small things.  We fuss because it's raining, and forget to be thankful for the rain that provides life to all things beautiful......except my hair LOL....whatta mess in the rain!

Anonymous said...

Just glancing down your list it is easy to see how many things we take for granted every day!!!  A thankful heart is a lighter heart.  -  Barbara