There are so many things to be thankful for….

I’m thankful for the treasured memories of us as a family, the current times as we build new memories, and the rough seasons that brought me closer to God.  

 

I thank God for Cameron and every moment we have shared together.  

He made me a mom.  I treasure my memories from when I knew I was pregnant and his beautiful day of birth.  I’m thankful for every time his arms wrapped around my neck and his head laid on my chest.  I’m thankful today, when he wraps his arms around me and I lay my head on his chest.

I am thankful that He blessed me with John who put God first, loved me through all time, treated me with respect, and gave me security.   Allowing us to know what it feels like to love unconditionally is probably the closest we can come to understanding how God feels about being our Heavenly Father.  I’m thankful for being a parent to Cameron.

 From the time that I became his friend in high school, to our dating when we couldn’t spend enough time together, and to our newlywed years when everything was fun and an adventure. Through our infertility challenges trying to become parents, to our times of going through college when marriage, a child, financial obligations, and homework was a constant juggle of time and attention, to the stability of a buying a home

and working when we had to remember that work wasn’t to come before us, to Cam’s health challenges, and to the final moments of holding his hand and letting him go.  

I am thankful that Cameron had his dad and his papa for manly examples.  

 

I’m appreciative that they shared their sense of humor and their example to not be afraid to express their emotions.  They both led by example of putting others first in acts of service, sharing household chores, yard work, and providing for their families, as well as, spending time with their family.

I thank God for drawing me closer to Him.

Through my loss of John, God drew me close.  I relied on Him for comfort and for peace.  I found shelter in His words.  He dried my tears and provided me with friends for comfort and love. 

I’m sure I wouldn’t be as strong in my faith if God had not led me through these storms.  Even with the challenges that have come after John’s death, I have always felt the peace of God’s spirit.  I put my faith in Him that He knows where I’m going to be in the future.  I’m not sure, but I know God is and that brings my heart peace.

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4: 4-5 NAS

I am thankful for the small things that daily happen in my life that makes me smile.  

 The light that is green when I’m time crunched in the morning.  The drink someone brings me out of kindness.  A hug from a student.  An unexpected gift or snack from a friend.  Time to reflect on my life.  An invitation to dinner or a phone call to talk. 
 Words of appreciation and encouragement.  My dog, Zoey, who loves me without condition and Pippin, my cat, who allows me to hug on him when I need comfort.  The warmth of a home filled with memories.  A hug on a good or a bad day.  A friend who tells me to let the small things go.  
The color of thansk


Music that fills my house with God’s message and my heart with love. 
The beauty of a pink blooming rosebush and the colors of fall surrounding me.  Snickledoodle cookies and cinnamon rolls.  Texts from friends.  Facebook that keeps me connected when I’m alone.  A simple phone call from Cam.

 Most of all I’m thankful for being loved.