Thoughts on Gratitude

I have been concentrating daily on gratitude. It seems to be the best antidote for overcoming the natural tendencies of man to feel sorry for themselves, especially when they are going through difficult times. I know I have handfuls and handfuls of blessings to be thankful for, and as trite as it may seem, November is a great month to share those thoughts of gratitude. I love this month. I remember so many Thanksgivings spent in the kitchen with my mother and grandmother. I can still close my eyes and smell the aroma in her kitchen, hear the sounds of laughter and clanging of pots and pans. I see her hands soapy and wet as she moves from one dish to another, happy to be presenting such a feast to those she loved. No wonder this is my favorite holiday. With memories like this, how can it not be. Now, I LOVE to fill my home with friends and family. With us being so far from our own families, our friends are like family and we have had many wonderful feasts. It doesn't seem to have the same umph for me without the house brimming with loved ones. It has become a tradition in our home to have multiple pies. It seems each year when I think I'll scale down, my family (Les AND the boys) give me that; "But what about .....?. How can I possibly skip their favorites? Anyway, I thought I'd share some daily thoughts of gratitude this month and maybe some of what we are doing to prepare for that festive day of laughter, love and FOOD!!

Today my heart has been grateful for mothers. I don't know of a simple word that has as much of a profound effect on my essence. It's a word that conjures up hopes, laughter, safety, forever, love, belonging, encircling arms, cooling hands and warm expressive eyes. Today I am grateful for my mother. I can't imagine a more noble woman to be proud to belong to. Even now that she's been gone for 18 years, she is my rock, my example and my best friend. I miss her every day. I am grateful that families are forever and I am forever her daughter. I am grateful for my mother in law. Funny, it was seeing her sign an e-mail to me as MOM that started my thoughts of gratitude about that word. I know she loves me like a mom and I am grateful to have that in my life. She is all those words and more.

Here is my favorite poem on motherhood. I pray I am instilling in my three sons those same special feelings as they are growing up. I have no greater mission on this earth than to be their mom. They make my life have so much meaning. I truly am blessed to be called MOM. So the circle continues.

The Warrior

This morning my thoughts traveled along

To a place in my life where days have long since gone

Beholding an image of what I used to be

As visions were stirred, and God spoke to me

He showed me a Warrior, a soldier in place

Positioned by Heaven, yet I saw not the face

I watched as the Warrior fought enemies

That came from the darkness with destruction for me

I saw as the Warrior would dry away tears

As all of Heaven’s Angels hovered so near

I saw many wounds on the Warrior’s face

Yet weapons of warfare were firmly in place

I felt my heart weeping, my eyes held so much

As God let me feel the Warrior’s prayer touched

I thought “how familiar” the words that were prayed

The prayers were like lightning that never would fade

I said to God “please, the Warrior’s name”

He gave no reply, he chose to refrain

I asked, “Lord, who is broken that they need such prayer?”

He showed me an image of myself standing there

Bound by confusion, lost and alone

I felt prayers of the Warrior carry me home

I asked “Please show me Lord, this Warrior so true”

I watched and I wept, for Mother… the Warrior—was you!

Thank you to all the Mother Warriors out there, especially my own.