THANKFUL FOR . . .

At this time of year I am so drawn to these beautiful bright colors.  It makes me want to pick up a paint brush and put it on paper or grab fabric and make some kind of collage.  I have never done either one.  This year might be a first.

The reds, oranges, golds and yellows really stand out against the green of the Magnolia and the Ornamental Grasses.

Since November is Gratitude month, I thought I should put some of my thoughts down.

There are so many things that I am grateful for which include my family and friends.

My family loves me unconditionally and accepts my personality quirks and my assets and liabilities and just keep making me feel like the luckiest person in the world.

My beautiful daughter brings so much joy to my life!  She is an awesome mom to my wonderful grandsons while maintaining a full time career.  Her husband was God's gift to me of a man who would love and cherish my daughter in the way I wanted her loved and cared for.  Together they have taught their two sons that family life really means loving and living together in harmony and letting those important people know you love them.

My son-in-law is a man with great depth of understanding and love.  I truly feel like he is my son.  He and I have always had a special relationship that actually started before he married my daughter.  This man is very talented in construction and design.  He builds some beautiful pieces of furniture and designs some very nice landscapes for his customers.  He is generous with his time.  He often coaches the recreational athletics of our grandsons.

Sorry, SIL, I do not have a photo to include here.

My grandsons are such wonderful personalities and so different.  The older one is now sixteen years old and looking toward his future preparing for college and, ultimately, his career choice.  This young man is full of compassion and genuine love and loyalty for his family and friends.  His quiet demeanor is so unassuming for a young man who excels in his academics and his community service and his church activities.  He makes my day when he sends me a text or when we have our occasional "date".  This young man appears to be headed toward a future in a career that involves caring for others -- either people or animals.

Our younger grandson is nine years old and, truly, an old soul in a young body.  He has such a unique way of expressing himself and he opens the window to such a fresh look at life.  It is such a pleasure to have conversations with him.  He can sum up life in a few words --  but they usually make you stop and look at him and ask yourself, "Did he just say that?"  We tease that he will be our representative in public community service.  Going down to have a twenty-minute school lunch with him is a highlight of the month for me.

Many years ago I was a young woman of 34 when I was widowed.  I was as unprepared for this as anyone would be at this age. However, I continued day by day keeping my faith in God and believing that my future was to take care of my daughter and bring her up to be a successful, caring woman.

Then, one day God did something wonderful for me.  He put me in a place to meet a wonderful man who was a recent widower himself.  This man has been my husband for almost thirty years.  How I could be so blessed still amazes me!

This man is generous, kind, and loving.  He makes me feel so special every day.  He loves me ALL the time and tells me that I am so important to him and his happiness. 

I certainly am blessed and ever so grateful for these wonderful people who enrich my life beyond measure.

My pets play a big role in making my life full.  They bring us a kind of joy and pleasure that only comes from a four-footed family member.

This tribute to my family is my way of saying "Thank you, God, for such a rich, rewarding life".

Should I go looking for paint brush, paint and paper?

-sandi