In Defense of Thankfulness...

I guess it's time to decorate this blog for Christmas. I am feeling the pressure and had to decorate something, right?  Seemed much less daunting than getting out the Christmas decorations for the house.  Also, we were not allowed to play Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving in our house, and I do love me some Christmas music so what better way to enjoy than making a new playlist? Old habits die hard.

Maybe Christmas decorating would seem less of a task if I hadn't gotten up at 3:30 AM this morning to accompany my mom and little brother to the Black Friday festivities. (It was all Nate's idea.) We were more the  gaping and curious on-lookers. I am sure we looked wimpy, pathetic and lost to the true lunatics shoppers out there, but we had a fun time with a few memorable moments (watch out for those Target muggers, Mom...) and I got to have a nice peaceful breakfast with Nate and Mom and tell me how often, if ever, that happens.  I am thankful.

So don't you think Thanksgiving is getting a bum deal these days?  The day after Halloween we get Christmas whispered into our ears and let the shopping begin.  It is hard not to get caught up in the hoopla. Christmas seems to get shoved down our throats instead of being savored and enjoyed. So, before we go there, I have a lot to be thankful for this year, and I want to give Thanksgiving its due.

I am thankful for a daughter who writes me stories, leaves me momentos, and gets teary-eyed and sentimental at the drop of a kleenex.

I am thankful for another daughter who loves her black high-heeled Christmas shoes, eats eggs and bagels for breakfast, and who gives the sweetest hugs and kisses around.

I am thankful for God's healing for both my Grandma and my dad.  Dad had a scary bout with H1N1 this fall. It was doubly good to have them both sitting at our Thanksgiving table this year.

I am thankful for a pastor and his family and all they have done for our church and for our family.  This is especially true in light of the fact that they have accepted a call from another church and will be leaving in January. And yes, Marissa gets teary and sentimental every time she thinks of losing her wonderful piano teacher. Why does it sometimes take a loss to fully realize how grateful you should have always been?

I am thankful for our friends and families both near and far.  Grateful that both the Captain and I were raised in loving homes.  Blessed be the ties that bind.

I am thankful for a hubby that somehow gets me and still puts up with me. And what other Daddy can give such fantastic after bath airplane rides and listen to "Party In the USA" 100 times a day after Marissa gets home from school?  TLA Honey!

I am thankful for God who has such a remarkable plan to redeem us and adopt us as HIS very own children.  How amazing! Thank you Lord!

So the list could go on and on and it probably should.  One day should not contain our thankfulness, but we shouldn't forget that one day either, as it seems so easy for me to do. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!