This year, maybe even more than most, I want to linger in the pumpkin spice and autumn shades of Thanksgiving. I want to continue counting blessings that fall like leaves.
Often in these last November days, I feel a bit lost and confused. Seeing pumpkins on porches with Christmas trees glinting light through front windows has a way of doing that to a girl.
So before December 1st hits, when I will feel the urge to string garlands and crank up the Christmas tunes, I am going to take another look at the pile of gratitudes that filled this year’s thankfulness box.
Because what better way to enter into the season of giving than to recount the season of gratitude and the gifts of the Giver.
Some of my favorites from this year:
(I am thankful for my home, my family, my friends, the world)
and:
apples
neighbors
family time
my sisters
playing games
milk
rocking on the front porch in the cool morning air
books to read
chairs to comfortably sit on
Lala’s prayers
J’s toothless grin
Sici’s unstoppable-ness
trees
our church family
toothpaste to clean my teeth
Thanksgiving with family
Mama is the best, and Papa is the best, and Sici is the best, and J is the best…and me!
a bed
God who made us
cozy socks
clocks
medicine
our fish
three sisters laughing in a chorus
I love honey
As we travel into this Christmas season, may we continue to taste the sweet and breathe deeply the smells that dwell in the land of gratitude.
Know the blessing, friends.
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
…all the smells that dwell in The land of gratitude! Ashley what beautiful reminders, all these hand-penned notes from overflowing hearts! And what a pearl of a poem it becomes when these are strung together! Just lovely!
Another image of gratitude for me to cling to — the string of pearls, made by the threading on of one gratitude after another. Thank you, Mama.
I could not imagine a life without you and Lexi in it; I could not imagine life without my precious grandchildren; I could not imagine my life without your love. Thank you! Love, Papa
Thank you for sharing your words of gratitude with me. I am so grateful for you, your love.
I’m so thankful for you all!! Thank you for the reminder to not rush past the acknowledgement of these blessings. I love you!
Thank you, Sis. Love you!
Isn’t a place of thankfulness one that we should routinely reside in? So good for me to ponder, Ashley.
Thank you Ashley. I love that you filled our hearts with gratitude as we entered into the Advent season :-) Have a lovely Christmas.