It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Yes, I know the song refers to the Christmas season, but I disagree. I believe the Thanksgiving season is the most wonderful time. It is my favorite by far.
This thanksgiving, 2011, I am blessed beyond my wildest comprehension. There has been loss.
And there has been gain.
How much things can change in one year.
This time last year, I saw my dad alive for the last time. We sat on the steps of my old house on a beautiful Autumn day as birds honked above overhead. I mistakenly called them geese. He was quick to inform me they were sandhill cranes. He always loved the birds.
We took a drive around the old Celanese plant where he spent some time working years ago, and although we didn’t say much of anything, I’m sure he was venturing down his own memory lane, just as I am now. Days gone by. Out of reach.
I snapped this last picture of him and my sister lying in the floor, right before we watched Four Christmases together. He forgot that blue handkerchief when he left. It’s now washed and folded and put away in a box of things, along with a pair of glasses left forgotten. He passed away the following February, and I have missed him everyday since.
But we shall meet again, and there will be rejoicing.
This time next year, we will have a 10 month old little girl crawling around, possibly beginning to pull up, yanking all the popcorn and cranberries strands from the Christmas tree. She will have brown hair and brown eyes and little dimples on her knees. We will play peek-a-boo and patty cake, feed her pumpkin pie with lots of whipped cream, and smother her in kisses.
And I’ll be tired, but it will all be worth it.
Things change. There’s no doubt I’ve changed.
And thank God for that.
Robert Frost said he could sum life up in three words. “It goes on.”
And thank God for that too.
I hope you take a moment to be thankful today and everyday. We are so blessed.
Praise God.
Cherish Loved Ones.
Be happy.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
Angel