Today I am thinking of all the things I am thankful for. It IS Thanksgiving after all.
I am also thinking about those things we are thankful for that are mixed blessings and this day can be… well…. Happy and Sad for some of us. And that is OK.
Follow me here. We are going to talk about pebbles in a pond.
I believe God has a plan for us all, even if we don’t sometimes agree or just plain old go kicking and screaming. Then there are those events that we have been praying for that happen.
Our words and actions are just like dropping pebbles in a pond. Full disclosure, my Birth Mom Mary Jo, said those words to me 18 years ago. I have been thinking about them every day since. Mary Jo always knows just what to say. She articulates ideas in a way that “stick with you”. I am very thankful for her today and every day.
Words are powerful, actions more so. It is true, we are but small humans but the things we say and do affect the course of history. We can think about the biggies from Ghandi to Hitler, of course, but each and every one of us have the power to change lives. Change the world.
I won’t get into specifics here, but we are all on this ride together. What seemed to be a curse many years ago allowed Chris and I the bravery to live in our beloved Colorado. We are Blessed to live in the mountains and work very hard to maintain this life. Admittedly, though, on days like today we miss our old friends and family. We are nostalgic for a house filled with 16 people and that 26 lb. turkey in the oven. Oh the stories! Torn foil turkey pans in my new oven. Piles of dishes on the counter tops, managing personalities, listening to stories, laughing and crying. All of it.
Things change. Life keeps moving. A dear friend told us, over dinner, to never try to recreate what was. Make new things, new experiences, new lives. It is healthier and grows your world and your circle. He was right. We are right where we are supposed to be for sure. If we had not moved, we wouldn’t have Rocker, we wouldn’t have discovered our Colorado Wine Country and all the love we have there. I would have never gone to Spain to paint. The list goes on and on. We would have never been allowed to have our family and friends come and stay with us in this Blessed place and enjoy it like we do. We are thankful for all of it… past, present and future.
Today, we give thanks for all who aren’t here any longer. For their lives and the lessons they taught us and the life they shared with us.
Today, we are thankful for Today and the broken path that led us here.
Today, we are grateful for each other. The quiet time alone with together and the crazy times filled with our family and friends both old and new.
Today, I am thankful for all the alone time I have had over the last 10 years. Somedays I am lonely and long for the past. But, more days I am blessed to have the quiet to have learn more about myself. As I grow older I am more accepting of the world and the people in it. I am staying true to Me and all that I bring to the world. I can say I am happy to be Me.
Today, I am more in love with Chris than I was yesterday. I love to paint more than I did yesterday and, as I will savor today, I am excited for tomorrow and all the days the Good Lord allows me. I love this life.
Please remember, that what you say and what you do alters lives and sends you and others in new directions. Be kind to each other. Know that you are powerful and, if you use your powers for good, you will make your life and the lives of others better. You will make the world a better place. And that is an awesome responsibility. Choose your words and actions carefully. Look at life as a whole work of art, not just a single brush stroke you are making in the moment. You are holding lots of pebbles… carefully and mindfully throw them in that pond.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. I hope you are exactly where you are meant to be today and every day.
I love you.
Xoxo,
Julie
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