I came into the office earlier and found Peepaw writing a list of things he is most thankful for. After reading it, (which made me cry) I asked his permission to share it with our family. My list mirrors his, for the most part, but I will add a few thoughts of my own after his.
My Savior and King, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who came and took on human form and died for the sins of His people, chosen before He created the world, and Who arose in triumph from the tomb and ascended to the place where He now reigns, the place where I will go when my sojourn here is done. I can never comprehend the scope or depth of what He has accomplished, and I can never be grateful enough.
My beautiful, devoted, faithful wife, Sadie. She is the best human being I have ever known in my life, and has made my life full and complete. She models Christ’s love in so many ways, not the least of which is that she loves me in spite of my many glaring faults, and she loves me fully.
My precious Mother, whom I wish could be with us today. She gave me life, she sacrificed for me in ways I still don’t know in full; she showed me what it means to be Southern and reverent and tough and how to walk in the Father’s creation with an eye to the fragility and wonder of each day.
My sons, Jason and Josh, and the strong, fine men they have become. Both of you have taught me valuable things…and neither of you knows the extent to which you have hallowed my life and given me hope for the coming years.
My grandchildren – Ruth, Rhiannon, and Jackson. They are healthy and safe and they know they are loved, and this is enough.
My two daughters-in-law, Karen and Mollie. Beautiful and loving young ladies, they adorn our family like living jewels.
My valuable and cherished friends, who are like breathing treasures to me. I love each of you and daily ask God’s blessings on you and your houses.
My church family and my brother officers – we have so much work to do, and my own resources are so meager, except through Christ!
The Holy Scriptures, which have never been anything to me except comforting and instructive.
My job and the necessities God provides through this medium.
Our little farm and the agrarian peace with which it fills our bones.
Turkey with crispy brown skin.
A red dog with soft brown eyes.
A mean yellow cat and an eccentric white cat, both of whom have loved on me when I was sick, tired, confused, and scared.
An old truck that runs just fine.
Shelves full of books.
Eyes that, while beginning to fail, can still read those shelves of books.
The soft stroke of music across my ears: Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, and so many other composers’ works.
Poetry, the lightning rod of the soul.
Sadie’s little hand on my rough, wrinkled one, whenever we sit next to each other
Real Christmas trees and the way their aroma fills the house.
Computers and high-speed connections that allow instant information and correspondence.
The snort of a deer in the pre-dawn stillness at our little farm.
The delighted squeal and the pointing finger of a golden-haired granddaughter.
The way the barn cats look at me when I come out of the door with a sack of food in my hand.
Sadie’s little feet and her sausage toes.
Mother’s teaching Sadie how to make chocolate gravy and delta-style fried chicken.
Pocket watches and handkerchiefs and pocket knives.
A single candle in a cool room.
The high wind in the top of the pine tree outside our bedroom window.
Laser printers, with their speed and crisp output.
A relatively pain-free body
The fact that I can still hear most of what I try to hear.
The particular blood in my veins, and the mighty deeds of those who went before me with the same blood in their veins.
The fact that rap music, most of today’s popular music, and Wayne Newton’s music is not mandatory listening material.
The way Bonnie just slunk into the room with a piece of purloined apple in her mouth.
Leather work gloves.
Songbirds in the bare tree in the front pasture.
Well-oiled firearms and the lack of immediate employment for them.
The variety of food that God provided for us.
The fact that I don’t have to pretend to enjoy listening to Johnny Mathis’ bizarre voicing of the song “Sleigh Ride.”
The woods behind our house, where I spend so many hours walking and praying and prowling and avoiding work.
The lines on my face and the gray hairs on my head and in my beard.
The crisp quiet of this day, in my home, with my wife, beloved of my God and my family.
And now my own list...
I am thankful that God chose me to be His.
I am thankful for my wonderful, loving, and caring husband. He is my best friend.
I am grateful that God allowed me to be Jason and Joshua's mom, Karen and Mollie's mom-in-law, and Ruth, Rhiannon, and Jackson's Meemaw.
I am thankful that I was able to hear Ruthie and Rhiannon say, "I love you, Meemaw".
I am thankful for our precious little pets and especially for getting to care for Sophie for 14 years.
I am thankful for my home in the mountains.
I am thankful for long distance service so I can hear my children talk to me.
I am thankful for a mind that holds a lifetime of memories.
We just finished filling our tummies with Peepaw's YUMMY turkey and my dressing with all the fixin's. Pumpkin pie is waiting in the wings. I think it's time now for a little walk to help digest that feast. I hope and pray you are all having a happy Thanksgiving and that you will be safe in all you do.
I love you all so very, very much.
Mom/Meemaw
