A thankful Thanksgiving..

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is over already.  This month has just flown by and I feel as if the rest of the year is going to speed by also.  I am not just using words when I say this was the best Thanksgiving.  Of course, anytime with family is good, but this one just seemed to be extra "thankful" for me. 

Gwen, Tim and the kids always come to my house on Thanksgiving.  They spend the night and then we shop on "Black Friday".  Every year it has been less and less shopping for us.  This year we hit only four stores.  And there were no crowds and very few people out.  It seems that this shopping day may be coming to an end with all the online sales.  We always all go to Doug and Susie's house on Friday, and Doug smokes a turkey!

When you have this happy bunch all together, and a table full of good food, how can you NOT be thankful?

The kids always have so much fun together.  Watching Jimmy and Zeke play together is just so special.  And Anna and Grace always play so well.  I managed to squeeze in a couple of games with Zeke, Anna and Grace while Jimmy was napping.  

One of the girls favorite things to do, is Just Dance.  I got tired just watching them! 

I can't help but reflect on just how blessed I am.  Last week, Doug changed the oil in my car.  He has been making sure that I keep up on all the car maintenance since Ken died.  This time, he washed all the windows on the inside and cleaned and treated the interior.  It felt like stepping into a new car for me!  While Tim was spending Thanksgiving at my house, he was not just watching TV.  He changed out all my old light switches in the upstairs (he had previously done the entire downstairs).  He changed out the very old lights in two closets for LED fixtures and installed new switches to replace the old pull chains.  He also put some new shelves in my laundry closet giving more much needed storage.  He did a few more small tasks for me, that are really BIG things for this senior citizen.   I am just so thankful for my family.  They make sure I am well cared for.   

As I was driving home on Thanksgiving, feeling so full and so loved, I couldn't help but reflect back on the Thanksgivings from my childhood.  I actually couldn't really remember any Thanksgivings until I was in high school!  I think that we never really celebrated much on Thanksgiving.  Last week on Wednesday, I was remembering exactly where I was, 60 years ago - November 22, 1963.  I have very clear memories of that day.  I was in Fourth Grade.  My teacher was called to the office.  When she left the room and told us all to put our heads on our desk.  When she came back, she was crying.  She told us that the President of the United States had been shot and killed.  When we left school that day, we didn't know when we be back in school.  It ended up that we didn't go back to school until after Thanksgiving.  I have clear memories of watching the funeral on television.  It is so odd, to know exactly where you were and what you were doing on a particular day - sixty years ago.  It is those bad, trauma days that we often remember.  

I think this is why it is so important to end EVERY day with thanksgiving for that day.  We need to keep every bit of good and pleasant things, before us, so that we remember the GOOD days more than the bad.  I am very thankful that I have a long list of "Good Day" memories that do balance out those days of trauma.  And I plan to make extra sure that I continue to fill up my "thankfulness" tank with lots of good things.  I love how this verse reads from the Message translation....

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best and not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly, things to praise, not things to curse.  Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard, and saw and realized.  Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.   Philippians 4:8-9

I love thinking about God "working" me into His harmonies!  Isn't that just lovely?  I want to be a part of God's songs!  So I will set about being thankful and focusing on the good and true things, rather than all that is swirling around in the world!  Won't you join me?

Jesus, thank you for the reminder that thankfulness actually help us!  Holy Spirit help us cultivate the habit of seeing the good things from each day.  Give us strength to find that good, even when things seem filled with bad.  Encourage us, Jesus to praise you in our thankfulness.  Help us to be those that spread joy and peace where ever we go.  Thank you for families and friends.  Amen

 

It is amazing to witness big changes!

 Last night I got to attend a Park District drama production of the show "Grease".  Ellie, at 14 and a high school freshmen, had decided to try out for a musical after discovering that it somehow fit into her very busy dance schedule.  She was delighted to be cast as a "Pink Lady".  Over the last couple of months she has learned her lines, learned and practiced all the dances included in the production and attended rehearsals.  She was so confident, such a great dancer and really enjoyed herself up on that stage! She played the part of a Pink Lady to a tee!

If you would have told me that Ellie would be ASKING to be in a play or musical, I would never have believed it.  Watching her last night was a testament to just how much Ellie and has grown and changed.  I know that being in dance and the yearly recitals have certainly helped her gain confidence.  But there is so much more to this!  Ellie is homeschooled and she did not know any of these kids when she auditioned for this production.  That did not matter one bit to Ellie.  If she sets her mind to something, she will go for it.  Now she has lots of new friends.  I am so proud of her!

I was remembering when Ellie was in Kindergarten in public school, she and Lia were in two different plays.  The first was in the fall of the year and Ellie was five.  The play was Aladdin and Ellie would not wear the costume on stage!  The director was happy to have her just be there, which was wonderful.  this was after that performance in 2014.   

Then in the spring of 2015, Ellie and Lia were in the production of Cinderella.  Ellie was a mouse and this time she actually wore the costume and went on stage!  She looked scared to death, but she was there!

I was so blessed to be able to see last nights show.  Ellie had friends and family cheering her on!

As a parent, I remember how worried I was about my kids as they were growing up.  Watching your grandchildren is no different.  Ellie had many struggles over the years with Sensory processing, ADHD, and Severe Dyslexia.  Thanks to years of hard work, therapy and so much family support, she is thriving. What growth and transformation for Ellie!  She is an incredible young women and I can't wait to see how far she goes in the years ahead.  

I saw a post this morning from a young mother, who was talking about her "village" - the group of people that were surrounding her family to help raise their children.  There were so many comments from young parents who do NOT have that support, and it broke my heart.  It does take a village to raise children.  There are always struggles.  There are often hard and difficult times.  Sickness, job responsibilities, car troubles, sleepless nights.... you name it!  Those early years with children are hard.  I am so thankful that I get to be part of a village for both my daughter's and son's families!  That means I get to really know my grandkids and experience these wonderful transitions as they grow into adults.

I am sure some of you are wondering how this might apply to your situation.  Here's the thing.  You can find a village if you don't have one.  Villages have people of all ages!  Church is a wonderful place to do this.  I know that I am "Grandma Lyn" to a whole host of kids and parents at my church!  You just have to be willing to help out.  In this season of Thanksgiving, look around and see where you might join or enlarge your own "village".  Maybe this is finding someone who has no place to go on Thanksgiving and inviting them to share your family dinner.  It might be bringing a treat to a neighbor that you haven't seen much lately.  Or inviting an old friend over for a cup of tea/coffee and conversation.  Don't miss out on the chance to brighten someone's day.  Smile at the drive through worker when you get that morning coffee.  It doesn't have to be much, and you just never know when that small gesture might make a big difference to someone who is feeling down and alone.  Start everyday with the thought, "How can I share a kindness with someone today?"  The best part of doing this, is that one sharing will be blessed as much as the one receiving!

Jesus, thank you so much for my villages!  Holy Spirit, remind us all to look around for that one person who might need a smile or kind word.  Give us courage and boldness to step out and be that "village" for someone in need.  Thank you for friends and family who celebrate our successes with us, and stand with us when things are difficult.  Thank you for welcoming us into your family, Jesus!  Amen

Wrap up of October and into November!

It has been a very full week!  As I was thinking about writing about the events of the last week, it is certainly one of those times when it seems like way more than a week!  Sunday was the beginning of the fun times, since Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna all get to Trick or Treat on the Sunday before Halloween (thanks to their community which has done this for many years) And on a side note, can I say that this is such a great practice!  The hours are during the afternoon.  Everyone is home to be a part of the fun.  And, as an extra perk, the last couple of years the Sunday has had great weather and Halloween - not so much!

I can't believe how creative the kids are when it comes to these costumes.  Zeke has been waiting to be "an alien carrying a human".  Ellie was Rapunzel (and Samuel, her boyfriend was Flynn Ryder), Lia was a cow and Anna was a super cute cheerleader.  It was only in the 40's and kind of windy, but it still proved to be a far superior weather day when compared with Halloween! As usual, there were friends a plenty along for the Sunday trick or treating.  I counted 19 kids and 9 adults when they left.  I (thankfully) stayed home to keep the dogs company.

On Monday, I snapped this picture of Chandler and Anna and I.  

Chandler is an older dog (he will soon be 14 years old) and he seems to really appreciate being with someone almost as old as him!  He climbs on the back of the sofa and wraps his head around mine.  I do love that dog, almost as much as Ken did!  

Tuesday was actually Halloween!  I met Susie's mom and dad to go to Grace's school for the Halloween Parade!  We were continually checking for a text or email that might notify that the parade was canceled, but it never came.  We stood outside at the school in a real, honest to goodness snow storm.  It was 30 degrees and the snow was being driven by 40 mile an hour winds.  The parents/grandparents were covered in the snow before the parade ever started.  Luckily, they had the kids all wear their coats over their costumes (which made for a not so exciting parade) but the kids seemed to love it!  

You can sort of see the snow in this picture.  That is one very happy Gracie who shouted to her friends, "That's my Yiayia and Papa and Grandma!".  It certainly made the cold and snow all worth it!  

As soon as the kids got home, we set out getting several layers of clothes on them, under their costumes!  We even managed to get a winter coat under Jimmy's Fireman outfit.  

Grace ended up wearing a winter hat under her Witches hat (which helped it to stay on in the brisk winds).  She decided to wear her winter coat and gloves and we managed to get gloves on Jimmy also.  It had stopped snowing for the most part, but it was still really cold!  I sent everyone else out trick or treating and I manned the door!  There were a surprisingly large number of kids and parents braving the awful weather.  I had to fill the treat bowl several times from the bags in the kitchen.  Jimmy was done after about an hour (and a bucket so full he couldn't carry it).  Susie and Grace went back out for another 45 minutes just before another snow shower moved in.  I drove home - slowly - in another round of snow.  All in all, there was a measurable inch of snow by Wednesday morning.  

Wednesday is All Saints Day, a day to remember all those who have gone before us.  It is also Lucas' birthday.  This year, more than any other, it seems like a very odd passage of time.  This was his 9th birthday.   Our family always takes time to go the cemetery and remember Lucas.

Even though it was still cold, at least the sun was partially shining.  It is always good to take this time and reflect on the impact Lucas has had on each of us.  I had several of my friends reach out to me when they remembered Lucas.  Grace made the yarn heart and the turtle stepping stone for Lucas.  As she is getting old, she often talks about Lucas,  Its hard to explain to children when adults don't even understand!  But it seems fitting that this time falls on All Saints Day.  I remember my mom especially loved the hymn "For All The Saints" that was always sung on All Saints Day. This hymn actually has 8 verses - but I will just share a couple... (I usually would include a link to a video of this hymn, but after listening to some of the available videos, I decided to just use the lyrics!)

For all the Saints, who from their labors rest. All who by faith , before the world confessed. Your name of Jesus, be forever blessed.  Alleluia, Alleluia.

 Oh blessed communion, fellowship divine.  We feebly struggle, they in glory shine!  Yet all are one within your great design.  Alleluia, Alleluia

But then there breaks a yet more glorious day.  The saints triumphant rise in bright array. The King of Glory passes on His way.  Alleluia, Alleluia 

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast.  Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, Alleluia.

What a picture of those that have gone before us.  They are shining in glory - we feebly struggle.  Yet, we are all part of this fellowship with them.  They rise in the presence of Jesus, in a new day.  Yes, a great picture, painted in these lyrics.  And I can see my own loved ones in that "countless host". Among them I see Lucas, bathed in the glory, shining brightly, filled with the light of Jesus.  

Jesus, thank you for reminding me that our life on earth is just a small part of the eternal life we have with you.  Holy Spirit, comfort all those who mourn and grieve today.  Hold them close and bring peace whatever the circumstances are.  Thank you for hymns and poems that help us to express our deepest thoughts.  Give us all the faith of children.  What a wonderful hope and joy we have in you Jesus.  Amen