Tuesday, November 20, 2012

A Season for Giving Thanks

We're closing in rapidly on Thanksgiving here in the US (our Canadian friends celebrated 10-8-12), so naturally thoughts turn to the things for which we are thankful. OFM had a lovely post last week, Stardust Exposed by an Attitude of Gratitude, in which he talks about how to develop an attitude of gratitude.


I have always tried to be that way. I'm the odd one who calls to say - Hey, I just got great service! Or - Wow, that was the best meal I had in ages! I think people complain a lot and forget to give thanks. So, many years ago, I made the decision to recognize things that brought light. I also try to remember that while I don't have abundance, I have more than a lot of people.




When I want to grumble because I have to do another load of laundry (seriously, the stuff breeds! I can finish three loads a day, pull the last load from the dryer, turn around and the hamper is full again!), I instead give thanks that I have clothes to wash, our own washer and dryer (2nd hand but they work!), and a house to keep the clothes and appliances in. When I want to complain about cleaning, I remember instead to give thanks that I have a house to clean for my family. When I don't want to cook, I give thanks for the food, the cookware and the fuel that allows me to feed my family.




Our children have SPD, they are sometimes difficult to manage, overly loud, and melt down quite a bit. But they are beautiful, smart, they have smiles that light up the world, possess laughter in their souls that bubbles over like exuberant, refreshing water over river rocks, and brings joy and laughter to Ward and myself. And despite the challenges, and sometimes the downright discomfort they experience, they are the personification of joy, and our family would not be the same without them. They were my first experience with unconditional love. I give thanks to God for them- two of my three greatest gifts, because of who they are and because they came late in life with an ease that was a blessing. And they continue to bless us every day.




I thank our children for bringing joy and laughter into our lives. I thank them for teaching us to look at the world through fresh, unencumbered eyes. I thank them for showing us beauty in the mundane. I thank them for teaching me how to shed my inhibitions and just BE in this single moment of time. I thank them for teaching me that I know how to love with all of my heart and without fear. I thank them for teaching us patience, and for making us better people.






I give thanks that my God saw fit to bring Ward into our lives. I thought that I was destined to a life alone. Then came this man who loves me so completely, who doesn't ask me to change for him, but instead takes my hand and says "Come, grow with me."; this man who sees into my soul, and gives me what I need even when I don't know what I need. I thank him for loving perfectly imperfect me.







 


I thank my Ward for the simple things he does, every day, going to work, sitting down next to me and grabbing clothes out of the basket and helping me fold, taking the dishes out of my hand and saying - sit you cooked, for giving me a little bit of time every day to relax and have mommy time, for the occasional girl's day out, for taking time with the boys every single day, for massages (never had one before Ward), for foot rubs and for painting my nails, for doing the grocery shopping with me and helping with the bags and the putting away, wrapping his arms around me every night, for never letting me forget for one single moment that he appreciates the little things I offer him, and that he loves me fierce.


I thank my Ward for being everything that I need and more. I thank him for making me strong, and finding more in myself than I ever imagined I had inside. I thank him for his hand in mine. I thank him for loving me enough to provide discipline and correction to purge all that does not belong between us, for providing us with a clean slate and for his grace and forgiveness. I thank him for showing me the good inside myself and teaching me that I deserve love, and acceptance. I thank him for the gift of laughter. I thank him for the genuine joy that he brings.


I thank him for loving the children I brought into our relationship as if they were his own, and for the light I see in their eyes when they are with him, and the example that he provides to them, how to be a strong, valorous, compassionate, honorable, loving man. I thank him for the family that I have always longed for, and thought would always be just outside my grasp.







 I thank my God for the richness of friendship in this community. I thank Him for wealth that goes well beyond the material. I thank Him for enough - we may not have a lot - but we always have enough. I thank Him for a full heart, and love beyond imagination, I thank Him for light, and for lifting me up and letting me find my home.

We wish you peace and blessings today and every day.

HIS POV:
I am so very thankful for the opportunity, privilege and blessing to have such a beautiful family. I agree wholeheartedly with June on making it a point to thank people and services for exemplary service and attention to their craft. I have so much to be grateful for so many blessings that it is hard to begin.

- Our children light up our world and even with their exuberance, they are such a beautiful and bright part of our world... I love them as they are... they are my sons, and I love the opportunity to be a dad again. (long story, perhaps I'll post about it someday).

- Our love is a blessing beyond what I could ever ask for. I know that I don't deserve June, but the Lord's grace and abundance abound, every day is richer and brighter and I thank June so much for letting me be a part of something so beautiful that it defies words.

-  I thank the Lord yet again for the depth and richness that we share that is a world unto itself. June, I thank you for being the one to draw me out into the light, and help my heart heal so I could love again. I am thankful for every moment that we have shared along the way and I'd do it all again. A man could not ask for more than the gifts that you have given me.

We are truly blessed and we want to thank each and every one of you guys that read and even our lurkers, for sharing the journey and much needed insight along the way!  Thank you one and all and we wish the Lord's many blessing on you and yours!



18 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for helping me remember all the things I am so very grateful for.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

    Ward, I am gratful for your service.

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    1. Thank you for your very sweet comment, sunnygirl. And thank you for being part of our chosen family. Happiest of Thanksgivings to you and yours.

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  2. Happy Thanksgiving! We all have so much to be thankful for and I try to be mindful of that as well.

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    1. Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings, Grace, to you and your family!

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  3. Especially when times are challenging, we need to take a moment and recognize all we are given.
    I love how you speak of your boys, you are all so loving.
    I am in complete sync regarding what children, all children, teach us about gifts, and their ability to show us life's true meanings.
    All Children have special needs, However some have challenges we cannot imagine. The joy we receive from them blesses all who are touched.
    We have children in our family with challenges, and I thank God every day that we are blessed, always.
    Sorry if I preach.

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    1. Hi Minelle :) Not preaching at all! We don't talk much about the children, just a few brief mentions here and there, simply because of the nature of the blog. But they are among the greatest of our blessings. They remind us how to be pure and joyous.

      Sometimes it takes my breath,to see them grow with joy,confidence and innocence that I didn't have - I am glad that we provide that for them. Sometimes just watching them takes my breath away. They are amazing little people with sharp minds and incredible humor, and smiles that break my heart with their beauty. And the most amazing thing of all...that we had something to do how amazing they are.

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  4. Hi Ward and June -

    Such a beautiful, warm and loving post! Thank you for the reminders of everything I have to be greatful for.

    One thing I will add to your list - I am very greatful for both of you and your willingnes to share your love, wisdom, and joy with us.

    Happy Thanksgiving to both of you and your lovely sons. May the Lord keep you all in the palm of his hand.

    Blessings,
    Cat


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    1. You made me cry, Cat.Thanks so much. Ward and I are grateful for your friendship, and for being able to count you - and the rest of our little community - as chosen family :)

      Rath Dé ort!

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  5. Wonderful post Ward and June. Thankful for your service Ward and it is nice to get to know you both through your blog. You talk of "deep subject" not superficial and I can appreciate very much. Blessings to you both this Thanksgiving and always, SNP

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    1. Thanks for your very kind words, SNP. And thank you for being part of our chosen family. Blessings!

      Rath Dé ort!

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  6. Beautiful post, you have a way with words. I liked the quote about being thankful to even have a glass; I think that puts things into perspective for sure. I also love the Bon Jovi song, but I'm also just biased because I love Bon Jovi ;)

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    1. Aww, thanks so much, Riley. I do, too! I've always said that and then I found that I had to snag it!

      I love Bon Jovi, too! And that song is perfect for Ward & I. I like him even more now, did you know he has a restaurant & it has no prices?

      "JBJ Soul Kitchen is a community restaurant with no prices on the menu; customers donate to pay for their meal. If you are unable to donate you may do volunteer work in exchange for your family’s meal." (http://www.jbjsoulkitchen.org/)

      How awesome is that??? What a wonderful world it would be if more people gave back like this! What a wonderful expression of his gratitude for blessings received!

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  7. Such a beautiful post June, thank you for the reminder of everything I have to be grateful for in this life. You have such a wonderful way with words. I am grateful to you both for sharing your wonderful love and joy with us.

    Ooh, huge Bon Jovi fan here too. Am excited they will be back touring again next year and crossing fingers they come our way again!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you both and your family.

    Love and Hugs
    Roz

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words, Roz. And thank you for your hand in friendship.

      Oh, I'd LOVE to see them in concert! hint-hint, Daddy :-P

      Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family as well! (((hugs)))

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  8. Beautiful post June! One of my best friends has a child with SPD. I've known him since he was a toddler and he is right on the verge of being fully grown. He is still a joy and a pleasure to be with. He's going to make a wonderful dad himself one day.

    Wishing all 4 of you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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    1. Hi, Susie :) SPD sure makes life interesting, and it makes you a little more flexible in finding ways to avert those meltdowns. But they are warm, wonderful, compassionate, humor-filled boys that are indeed a joy to be with. You know - about him being a wonderful dad? Maybe due to understanding to a greater degree what children go through sometimes. That's pretty awesome. Because of the boys, one of the advanced degrees I want to pursue is Autism Behavioral Specialist, to help children learn how to be comfortable in their own skins, because it's sometimes painful to watch our boys struggle with that. Having Ward's unconditional love and acceptance has gone a huge way to accomplishing that.

      Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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  9. As usual-eloquently expressed, inspirational and right on point. I needed to read this today.
    Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving

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    1. BlkCactus, thank you! We wish you and your family a wonderful holiday and many blessings.

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We love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for being part of our chosen family!