Why haven't you been blogging?, she asked

Because my heart hasn't been in it, my brother is dying, my mother's kidney's are shutting down, my brother-in-law was hospitalized for a wk with a very serious infection...STOP!!!!!!! Life is so hard at times...but what can be done about it? I can't save my brother, my momma has made up her mind to disregard what her Dr is doing to help her and thankfully my brother-in-law went to a Dr who was able to treat him quickly (even going so far as to transport him from the clinic to the hospital in his own private vehicle!) So, I've kinda shut down a bit but when the question was asked of me as to why I haven't been blogging, it was just the good kick in the seat I needed and here I am, back blogging. Pity party behind me...blogging before me.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. What will you be doing tomorrow? I can almost guarntee it will have something to do with eating...maybe that will be the main thing you do tomorrow, eat. Throw in a bit of football, a nap, maybe read the ads in preparation for Friday's early morning shopping trip. Hey, I will be right there with you all.

We (Ed and I) have reservations to eat a traditional Thanksgiving feast with my mother at the assisted living facility she lives at. Noon...be there, only $4/plate for non-residents, complete with your choice of pumpkin or pecan pie! Afterward we will search through the ads - not so much to make a shopping list but simply because that is what you do after dinner on Thanksgiving day, right? While Ed watches football (and I pretend NOT to watch football) momma and I will decorate Gingerbread people (shhh, it's a secret, momma doesn't know yet) that she can give to the healthcare workers who were "lucky" enough to work on Thanksgiving day. Ed and I are planning to sneak away while momma naps to go see "Yours, Mine and Ours" at the theater (I loved the orginial with Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball). After the movie is Survivor Night, which is sacred for my momma. We will stay and watch that with her so she does not get put to bed early and miss it. We like to guard her Survivor time.

So, there you have it...that is what we will be doing on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving? Where does "thanksgiving" fit into that schedule? With a title like "Thanksgiving Day" shouldn't at least a few minutes be set aside to actually be thankful? Of course!! So tomorrow (and everyday) I will be thankful for (in no particular order):

God, who loves me

The promise of a glorious eternal life in Heaven with my Savior

My husband to loves me and shows his love every day

Children whom I am proud of

5 beautiful and precious grandchildren

My brother, my friend, who has overcome much in his life

My sister who is first my friend and always my strength

Parents whose 59 yrs of marriage showed me how and why to tough it out and stay the course in various life situations

Memories of my father that bring laughter and tears, usually at the same time

Precious time with my mother, making memories for me to hold into the future

Franki and Diana, never two more dear buds....pals to the end

My closests friends who love me inspite of what they know about me

A good job (with great benefits) working for a great boss with an added bonus - he's a Believer!

Enough income and resources to be blessed with the basics and then some:

a roof over our heads, plenty to eat, heat when it gets cold,

clothing, entertainment, vehicles, etc...and always enough to bless others less fortunate.

The ability to move, to walk and excerise

The ability to think and reason

That list might sound like the "same old, same old" list that most would come up with when thinking about what they are thankful for but I have been without most of these things at one point or another in my life. I do not take any of my blessings for granted. I know that next year my list might have to be adjusted, that is painful to think about now so I will try not to "borrow tomorrow's trouble"...

Happy Giving Thanks Day to all...