Give Thanks...

2007. It’s been a wonderful year, full of answered prayers and dreams come to fruition, and a contented peace with those prayers which have not yet been answered. The older I get, the more I see loss around me, the more I experience it personally, the more near-misses I am made aware of, the more I am absolutely convinced that it is a complete waste not to live life moment by moment, appreciating all that has been given in that moment.

I think it’s natural to long for what used to be, for what has passed, for what has been lost. But a person who consistently takes notice of all that is being given, who has the presence of heart and mind to say thank you, not only to God, but to the people around him, knows a different kind of longing than the person who takes it all for granted, who thinks of life’s gifts as permanent, who is never really conscious of what he holds right in his hands until it vanishes. A person who is present to their world and to the people around them has the peace of knowing that, were they to live it all over again, they’d probably do it much the same. There’s no if only I would’ve… only an "I’m so glad I did…"

None of it is owed us. All is a gift. And what a gift it is.

We are leaving tonight to start our Thanksgiving family visits. I am so excited to be going home. I didn't realize until I started to write, but I am a bit homesick, I suppose. Not in the sense that I wish I was back in Eastman, but its more of a longing for my family--for the love and support and encouragement they are to me...even when they don't realize it...I am ready to go home! We are staying in Eastman tonight through Thursday evening and then driving to Augusta to celebrate with Eric's family until Saturday. We are also going to pick up our changing table from their house and bring it back...I'm excited to start putting the furniture in the nursery!

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving this year---slow down and appreciate all the blessings God has given you...Appreciate your friends and family a little more. Although it seems like people will always be around, although it seems like there’ll always be ample time for being together (not just existing in the same proximity, but really, truly being together)… the truth is, it’s not so. People move on, people move away, people pass away. Opportunities are given; sometimes they are enjoyed, sometimes they are missed… but there is always an end to them. Maybe it’s a little more tangible with our older loved ones, but life offers no guarantees…

All the people we love, all the moments we get to share with them… they are precious. As Frederick Buechner says, “if you were aware of how precious [today] is, you could scarcely live through it. Unless you are aware of how precious it is, you can hardly be said to be living at all.”

In all the hectic rush and stresses that often accompany these next few weeks, my prayer for you would be that, more than anything, you are rich in moments and memories and people. May your heart be full, and may the people you love know it.

Happy Thanksgiving!!