A Thanksgiving List

This may seem a bit self-indulgent, but Thanksgiving is upon us, so I'm just going to do it...

I am going to offer personal thanks to the people I walk beside in life.

As usual though, there is a double agenda. I'm hoping this inspires you to make your own list, and maybe send out some "Thank You" e-cards. They are free at Dayspring, Hallmark, and some other places too. It feels so GREAT to be truly thankful and I want you to know it for yourself.

One disclaimer: This list is SOOOOOOO NOT exhaustive - more like a little sample starter of people I appreciate. So please, if I know you and you aren't listed here, know I LOVE YOU TOO.

Happy Thanksgiving!

• Thanks to God for always being there for me, giving your Son, Jesus, for me, and always loving me the same, no matter what.


• Thanks to my husband, Dan, for being my best friend and forever love, the absolute knight in shining armour of my life and the one who can easily make me laugh, even on the worst day.


• Thanks to my dear friend and sister in Christ, Abby, who I won't call an angel, because I know she hates that, but who I will call the fragrance of Christ to me.


• Thanks to my daughter Johanna, for being a courageous and inspiring young mother and always an eager student of life.


• Thanks to my son, Cliff, for being the compassionate, giving, joyful, brilliant person that you are.


• Thanks to my son, Caleb, for being the one who pushes me closer to Jesus everyday, with the innocence of your eyes, and the yearnings behind them.


• Thanks to my step-daughter, Laura, for your kind heart and refreshing perspectives on a vast assortment of subjects.


• Thanks, Tina, for being above and beyond what I could have ever dreamed up as the perfect daughter-in-law, Mei's Mommy, and my son's dear wife.


• Thanks to my friends Lisa and Teresa, for being the heart of our street, always looking out for every neighbor and always doing good.


• Thanks to my friend, Toby, for proving that somebody in this world, who knew me when, still gives me the time of day, AND a whole lot more, like e-cards, heartfelt talks, trust, good advice, and the occasional pictorial glimpse of real seasons.


• Thanks to my entire writing group, The gang at Write Ingredients Workshop, whose friendship and camaraderie is crucial to my survival in this partially left-brained world.


• Thanks to the WACKOS, you know who you are--you help me know the work's not over, when otherwise I might think I'm done--and your hearts are enormous.


• Thanks to Linda C. and Darla C., good writing, eating, movie going pals, but sister/friends number one.


• Thanks to Carol and Richard for caring and reaching out to me and to a dark world, with your light.


• Thanks to all of my extended family, wow, without you I might not have a clue which way to go. You gave me a foundation and a hand and love, and you still do.


• Thank you to all of the people who have ever helped another human being in need. You know who you are. You are the ones who will one day wear a crown with many jewels. Your existence in this world blesses me.


• Thanks, Mom, for believing in me, in yourself, in a positive life, and in Jesus Christ.


• Thanks, Dad, for showing me what God is like, and loving me still.