Thanksgiving

At this Thanksgiving, before the turkey and stuffing, before the pumpkin pie, and before the inevitable tryptophan-induced nap, I’m reflecting on those things for which I’m thankful.  I thought I’d share them with you.

In my life I’ve treated prayer with various levels of indifference and fervor.  Up to the time when I was in my 20s, I prayed to God for things for me.  “Please God, let me pass that math test!”  Or “Please God don’t let my father find out what I did!”  I must admit that God looked favorably on me and I often got what I prayed for.

God never left my life but for many years prayer did.

I can’t remember when or what triggered my resumption of prayer.  I think it may have been my move to Delaware, but I’m not sure.  But what changed was the contents of the prayer.

I stopped asking God for things for me.  I realized how selfish it was of me to do that! Now, with the exception of asking Him for blessings for others, I started thanking Him for what I have and not what I want.

So, my Thanksgiving wish here is a modified version of my daily prayer.

I’m thankful for the life I have – my health, my psyche, and my place in the world.

I’m thankful for my family: my son, my daughter, son-in-law, and my granddaughter. I’m thankful for my sister and her family.  I’m thankful for new friends who are now in my life and old friends who have reentered my life. I’m thankful that I had loving parents and grandparents who will be with me in spirit for the rest of my days.

I’m thankful for the beauty of this place I’ve adopted as home.  The awesomeness of the Atlantic Ocean and beach; the raw beauty of the Indian River Bay.  The natural beauty of the many state parks that are within a few miles from my home and that I try to visit often.

I’m thankful for the community in which I live, its very nice people and the friendship that has been bestowed on me by those I have met.

I’m thankful for my home.  It’s not opulent or grand, but it’s warm and comfortable; it felt like home the moment I moved in.

I’m thankful for my neighbors and friends.  Not only my oldest and dearest friends, but also my new friends from my community, the Bethany Boardwalk, the Oceanview VFW and other places in my travels.  My life is richer and more fulfilled by knowing them all.

I’m thankful for our ranchers, farmers, watermen and fishermen.  They are hard-working members of our Delmarva community and they provide us with sustenance. We need them desperately.

I’m thankful for our first responders, especially our police.  Often, they have been put in an untenable position and they need our support.

I’m thankful for our military.  They keep us safe and without them we would suffer the fate of many of the oppressed peoples of the world.

I’m thankful for our country, whose design and bounty provides us with The Four Freedoms.