Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. There are turkeys to be thawed, potatoes to be peeled, tables to be set, parades to be watched, and blessings to be counted. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way though…

Come gather around at the table
In the spirit of family and friends
And we’ll all join hands
And remember the moment
‘Til the season comes round again*

Last year, my sweet niece Hannah was born the week after Thanksgiving. All of 26 weeks into the pregnancy she was 12 in long and 2lbs 6 oz of fighting spirit. Our little Tiger. She is living, breathing proof of God’s answered prayer and miracles as we prepare to celebrate her 1st birthday.  But last year at this time? We couldn’t know all that would happen, the heartache that was to be endured. (See We Interrupt This Christmas… for the first Hannah story.)

Let’s all try to smile for the picture
And we’ll hold it as long as we can
May it carry us through
Should we ever get lonely Til the season comes round again*

Five years ago my grandfather, my pap, passed away the week before Thanksgiving. This man…I really have no words…it still hurts and I still miss him dearly, but I will try to do him justice in the coming days as I introduce you to him because I can promise you there is no one else on Earth that embodies what he was to so many. His legacy I can only hope to carry on.

One night, holy and bright
Shining with love from our hearts
By a warm fire, let’s lift our heads high
And be thankful we’re here
Til this time next year*

Three years ago this week the barrage of testing began to determine why my heart was suddenly, literally, broken. In a span of a 24 hr holter test I had over 3000 irregular beats and it felt as if my heart was doing somersaults in my chest. Tests and questions and tests and questions all to finally receive the news that my body is at war with itself, attacking the main arteries off my aorta.

May the new year be blessed with good tidings
Til the next time I see you again
And we’ll all join hands
And remember this moment
And we’ll love and we’ll laugh
In the time that we have
‘Til the season comes round again*
(*Til The Season Comes Round Again, Vince Gill)

Thanksgiving…a time to be thankful and count our blessings. What do you do when the blessings feel thin and the hurt runs deep? I Choose Thankful. It’s a choice and I hope that over the next two weeks you will follow along with me, especially if you are struggling with Thankful. I hope that through the stories I share you will be encouraged and uplifted.  May we laugh together and cry together as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18