My Cup Runneth Over!

I really have a lot of reasons to be thankful. Last year, one week before Thanksgiving, Randy was laid off. I remember sitting with my family at the table having a wonderful dinner...feeling really thankful and really scared! It was all I could do to smile, and with each bite of food I felt as if I were trying to swallow a rock. For the first time in many years we were without health insurance and I really wasn't sure what would happen. Would one of our children get sick? Would we lose our home? The year did bring quite a few rough spots...but we came together as a family and we made it through.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Today, my thoughts and prayers are with all who are still struggling through hard times and loss. Those who worked very hard... but lost their home anyway. Those who go to work sick or have a sick child and no health insurance. Those who fought with all they had...but lost their lives anyway.Those who would gladly give away their home and all of their belongings if only they could have their child/grandchild/or loved one back.

I am grateful for this past year...not only because we made it through...but because we made it through better and stronger than before. Our struggles this year reminded my family and ME just how much we have...the love of a family, treasured friends, support when times are rough, good health, a comfortable home.

We were also reminded of the many material things that we do not need. Just giving up eating out not only helped our budget, but also lead to cooking healthier meals, eating together as a family and....the six of us lost between 19-44 lbs.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that there is a lesson in everything that happens. Good things sometimes fall apart so better things can fall together. Things go wrong so that we learn to appreciate them when they're right.

Thank you Lord for always watching over this family... and for the countless ways you bless us everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

"For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!"
~Ralph Waldo Emerson