Be Thankful
A Blog Carnival celebrates the ideas and thoughts of a group of people who Post on one theme. My Post today is part of a Blog Carnival organized and hosted by Bridget Chumbley http://www.bridgetchumbley.com/. The theme word for this week is gratitude. This is my contribution.
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When I was only five years old, God blessed me with a friendship that has endured now for more than fifty years. Carol was my two-houses-down neighbor, and we grew up like sisters. Her parents were and still are like a second mom and dad to me.
Carol’s life has not been easy. She is plagued with an autoimmune disease that still mystifies doctors. She must fight for the strength, energy and stamina to live each day. In spite of this, she constantly gives to others, does for others, and guides others with the great spiritual insights that God has burned into her soul through the trials of everyday living.
Carol is a gifted fabric artist. Her work graces my home. I keep one of her embroideries in my kitchen. It says simply, “Be Thankful.”
When I am worn out physically, mentally or spiritually, I read Carol’s message, and I hear God’s voice.
Be thankful. For a warm house, for family and friends who fill my house to overflowing each holiday. For laughter, and for the strength to do all the work that needs to be done. Be thankful for my husband’s willing hands. For our children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews and the joy they add to our celebration. Be thankful for another holiday with my mother, even if she’s not quite sure where she is or what day it is. Be thankful for the patience of my father, whose love is evident as he so gently helps my mother dress and eat and live. Be thankful for my father-in-law, the 91-year-old teller of stories who helps us realize that we need to take time to listen.
Be thankful. For a friend who takes scraps of fabric and sews in wisdom that reminds me life is not about me. It’s about love, and love makes everything else worthwhile.
Blessings, Sue
“When I am worn out physically, mentally or spiritually, I read Carol’s message, and I hear God’s voice.” What a beautiful gift she gave you, one that lasts through the years and keeps on giving. Your list of things to be thankful for moves me. Especially since my mother died this year from Alzheimer’s. I’m glad I learned to be thankful even in the midst of her disease so I have no regrets now.
Thank YOU for sharing this beautiful post.
Thank you, Lisa.
I’m thankful to have had both Sue and Carol as friends since Kindergarten 🙂
I, too, have some of Carol’s ‘fabric art’ as well as all of Sue’s books. What talented friends I have 🙂
Thank you, Lynn. I have always felt so blessed with and by all my friends – who are all talented and caring. The first memory I have of you was in our Sunday School class. We were in Kindergarten or First Grade. The only kids I remember in that class were you and Aaron Dyer. I remember having conversations with you about grown-up topics – not anything bad, just serious. Thank you for all our years of friendship!!
Sue, I remember you in Sunday School at the Methodist church. I don’t remember the ‘serious’ conversations, but that would have been right after my Dad died so it is an interesting piece of information to me. After my Mom married Charlie a couple of years later, we became Presbyterians 🙂
In Sunday School at the Methodist church we sang “Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam” and it was my favorite………….they didn’t sing that one in Presbyterian Sunday School 🙁
I remember being sad that you were changing churches. We learned young that friendship is ecumenical! 🙂