thanksgiving reflections


The moon has been spectacular the last few nights.
I stood leaning against the barn. . .
trying my best to be steady.
It occured to me then. . . .
I'm thankful for a God who is steady. .
even when I'm not.

As I come around the corner of the barn and look towards the western sky. . .

I see God's glorious sunset. ..

which is always there. .

even when I can't see it.

I'm sure if you live in Canada . . .

your thoughts have been looking ahead towards our Thanksgiving weekend.

In my own life ...

it seems that every holiday brings a heightened sense of thinking of years past.

I think about going home to mom and dad's.

I try to remember the last Thanksgiving we had all together...

and I can't. . .

so . ..

I open mom's diary to see what we had done.

She recorded these thoughts . . .

Sunday October 9, 1994

We felt like attending the Church in Keremos - but we had no proper clothes along and we were also in a big hurry to get home. Mary had invited us for Thanksgiving dinner. We drove home all the way from Keremos to Hope with only one stop to take a video of the little church on the hill. We had in a tape of Pastor Jim Reese singing Holy Holy Holy. We had a beautiful worship time. We had a muffin and coffee in Hope and then our van would not start. Aron worked around with jumper cables and cords and all of a sudden it started but twenty minutes were gone. But, we got home in time to have a good bath and sort the mail.

Mary had a delicious dinner - Turkey and all the trimmings. Lovella brought pumpkin pies and Pauline brought Sweet Potatoes. Lori brought a carrot salad and Betty (here she leaves a blank .. can't remember from the day before I guess). She continues in her journal entry . ..saying . .

We had a very nice time ...

I smiled as I read this ...

she had the page marked with a dried leaf from their time away.

I read it aloud to my beloved and he smiled too.

We have our memories ...

memories that remind us of how much we have to be thankful for.

The next few days . . .

I'm pausing to reflect on the things that really matter . ..

the things that God calls us to be thankful for.

All for now. . .

Comments

  1. How wonderful that you have your mother's diaries! I discovered my grandmother's diaries when I was 14 and had so much fun reading them -- I never met her as she died before I was born. I've been a diarist since I was 11. :) Maybe someday my kids will be happy. :) Have a good Thanksgiving weekend!

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  2. We have so much to be thankful for, don't we? God is so good!

    I guess blogging is a type of journal or diary, isn't it (at least for those who are more faithful in writing each day than some of us are!)? You are blessed to have your mother's writings.

    Blessings be upon you and yours this weekend and always.

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  3. Lovella, what a beautiful piece of herself your Mom left you throught her diaries... Its like you can still 'hear' her talk about her memories.
    The photos of the moon and sunset are gorgeous! We admired the sunset last night too.. it was one those over the top ones! A reminder of how great our God is, and how His beauty shines into our lives.

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  4. What nice memories of Thanksgiving long ago...in your mother's own words. How special to have her diary.

    I have been taking sunset pic's every night...they just seem to be getting better and better!

    God is good...and I have much to be thankful for.

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  5. Great Shot Lovella. I've been eyeing the moon also in different positions. It's beautiful.
    Those are special memories from your mom...Those are the things that really matter...I love it when you share from them.

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  6. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration and reflections!! Blessings...

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  7. I noticed the moon looking extra beautiful a few days ago and the sunset yesterday... I couldn't believe it! I got my camera, but it doesn't pick up the colors like they really were.
    Your photos are beautiful!
    It must be so comforting to have your mom's experiences written down like that. It's one way to keep your memory of what she was like so real.

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  8. What gorgeous pictures! A beautiful harvest moon.So neat that you found Mom's comments on their Thanksgiving experiences that year! They left us a great heritage, and great memories.

    Mary

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  9. You are so blessed to have your mom's diary. Isn't it something how memories can just warm the heart through and through. You are following her example of making family times not only a tradition but important...because the people in your family matter so very much to you. I stood out on my patio taking in the beauty of the night sky last night too....and thought of my own Mom in heaven...good thoughts! Thanks for reminding me to take extra time this week to be thankful....I'll start by letting you know I am thankful for you and the frienship we share. Kathy

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  10. Diaries from your mother, how special. Sunsets from your God to you, how special. Things, lots of things and people to be so thankful for. "Thanksgiving" is a time to reflect. How sad that sometimes we find ourselves too busy to do that. Great reminder!

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  11. Beautiful. And how marvelous that your mom kept a journal. That must bring you much comfort when you are missing her. If I don't get the chance to return and say so...do have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Your home looks all cozy and ready for the day.

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  12. I wonder - is it something to do with reaching half a century that causes us to think of years past and loved ones gone ahead? I find myself doing the same thing. How lovely that you have your mom's diary. I would love to have the same.

    I often wished I had written more in my children's baby books - #1's book has many pages and poor little #5 has a lot less :) But you have shown me that it's not only the baby and childhood years that should be recorded - our kids will like to read about our lives as we live them now. Our blogs do that, but there is something about handwriting that is special as well. Holding the book your mom held. Looking at her own handwriting.

    I keep a visual scrapbook/journal - you've inspired me to do it more regularly.

    Thanks Lovella!

    (and apologies for the post - oops - long comment!)

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  13. Have a blessed Thanksgiving there in beautiful Canada....

    How wonderful that where you live you can view the big, big sky, uninterrupted by buildings and telephone wires and all that (I know you have all those, but they don't crowd your view if you look in the right direction)...because the sky seems to continually sing out God's glory and you get to see it whenever you like!

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  14. What a beautiful post. You splashed me today in God's creation and His faithfulness.

    Delighted to meet you,
    Sarah Dawn

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  15. Enjoying your photos and the excerpt from your Mom's diary..so precious!The mention of Jim Reese brought back some memories for me too!
    Have a great Thanksgiving!

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  16. Your post touched my heart and made me realize how incredibly blessed I am and have so, so much to be thankful for. Thank you for reminding me of what this weekend is all about!
    Blessings to you and your family as you celebrate God's Blessings in your life!

    Shirley

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  17. Happy Thanksgiving Lovella hope you guys have a great weekend.

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  18. Oh Lovella...just made me cry that post did! What a sweetheart your mother was....recording her time away but anxious to be with family around the Thanksgiving table.....love it! Happy Thanksgiving Lovella!

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