WRITING OUR BLESSINGS AND FINDING GRATITUDE

Memories of some Alabama Thanksgivings cross my mind when each family came all dressed up for the occasion bearing dishes of scrumptious food. Some that I had not heard of became what I'd soon be making my tradition like the cornbread dressing with giblet gravy, a boiled raisin cake, and a golden pound cake with a dish of ambrosia garnished with fresh coconut.

As we gathered at the big table full of starving adults and the smaller table lined with hungry young'uns, silence came quickly, so someone could "say grace"and and the hungry folks could be fed. I wondered if our hearts were actually thankful for just that meal-or even some of the staggering things that the good Lord had brought us through?
Were our hearts full of gratitude enough that we loved the One who saw us through -the cancer that was healed, the loss of family members who were no longer here, the battles of tropical fever, the fires which had destroyed houses, but not our spirit?

Gratitude is what you have after you've "hit the bottom"and there is no where else to go, but to rise above the situation.

Gratitude is what happens when we can celebrate the chemo has worked and all is clear-even if it returns.

Gratitude is loving those who "do you wrong" and you still can love.

Gratitude may be forgiveness extended so your family can model what you do in the worst circumstances.

So now, umpteen Thanksgivings later, the youngest of the bunch reminds us of the blessings we wrote each other a few years ago. The white linen napkins lay at the side of our china plate with our name still there.

While coffee was brewing, we quietly took the colored pens and wrote words of blessings and thanks for the person whose napkins was passed to us. The atmosphere quietened and became sweeter as each wrote words of affirmation to each other until the circle around the table was complete.

Eating and drinking, we smiled as we partook of these wonderful foods. Life is best when we "write our blessings and give thanks" for this circle of love knowing that it won't always remain this way when one disappears from the way we are today- and then we will discover anew the meaning of gratitude.