Every Reason to be Thankful

This Thanksgiving will be different and unusual in many ways. I assume that if you are reading this blog, you know about all that my family has gone through in the aftermath of Super-storm Sandy. My Grandmother's house is still in a state of disarray (to put it mildly) and has no heat. So, this will be the first Thanksgiving in my lifetime that my family will not be gathering at my Grandparents' house for a day of celebration and over-eating. That is not to say we won't be getting together. We certainly will. It will just be at my Aunt and Uncle's house instead.

It would be easy for some to look at the trials of the past month and be angry or bitter rather than thankful, but I think for many of us, it has given perspective that only loss can bring. The more loosely one holds onto material things, the more one appreciates the immaterial. The fact that my family was not hurt (bodily) in the storm is huge blessing in and of itself. But then there were the little mercies shown throughout: the china my Grandmother gave to me made it through unscathed; the lighthouse in the front of our house was recovered days after the storm; S's friend brought dry ice over so the food in the fridge didn't spoil (providing food during those first difficult days); a friend gave me gas so I could get home to help with the clean up; and some of the special (sentimental) Christmas ornaments were able to be salvaged. Each of these things were reminders that it could have been worse. I think my Dad said it best though, "when you look around at what happend to so many others who literally lost everything, we were really pretty lucky." Granted, I don't believe in luck, but I can agree with the sentiment. In the grand scheme of things, we got off pretty easy.

Another difference is that this is the first Thanksgiving I will be celebrating with the man I love. He is one of the greatest blessings God has brought into my life, and I look forward to celebrating many more holidays with him in the future.

Health, happiness, family, friends, joy, and hope... so much to be thankful for!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Un Papa, Une Maman Pour Tous les Enfants

That was a sign being held by a fairly large crowd of Parisians. Translated, it means "One Dad, One Mom for all Children." The last place on earth I would expect a anti-same-sex marriage rally is France, and yet more than 100,000 people attended. I guess that is what I get for stero-typing the French.  :)

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