This year seems a particularly challenging one for which to be Thankful. We have said farewell to several loved ones. Some tragically, others a part of the natural cycle of life. However, even in the loss, there is a glimmer of something to be thankful for. The many holidays spent together. The healing of broken relationships. The introspection that grief affords. The rawness of life that is soothed by the tenderness of those around us. Perhaps loss serves to remind us to take a long view of life. The moments, strung together, create a fullness for which to be grateful.
At our annual Thanksgiving gathering of friends and sometimes family, there will be one special someone missing this year. Calvin. His presence will be especially missed tomorrow. He was a very sociable cat and always enjoyed the turkey that he got on Thanksgiving. His brother, Leo, carries on the tradition of talking for turkey. I am thankful that Calvin was in my life as long as he was. His ashes now sit on "our shelf for nice things". Tomorrow his spirit will oversee the food preparation, the libations, the laughter and the inevitable late night dance party. It's really pretty simple. We miss him everyday.
As the leaves turn color and fall, the bare branches remind me that the structure of life remains. As I rake and blow the leaves into the woods, I am reminded to be thankful for each season, each life lived and each special moment along my journey to whatever is next. I am thankful for whatever is next and especially for each one of you.
Peace.
Jim
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5 comments:
Beautifully said, Jim!
We are deeply grateful for both of you Jim and Bill -- and for all our family. We look forward to seeing you in ATL for New Year's and celebrating 15 years of marriage.
It would be so exciting to bring in the New Year's with you and also celebrate your anniversary.
Jim
My mind is many places today: In Eagle River, where my parents fill an empty nest with friends and a fire, In Calfornia where Rick lobbies Lara for a new dog, In Seattle where Piper enjoys her first Thanksgiving, In Canton where Thanksgiving just is not the same without those who made it so memorable, and In Fargo - where Tonya and Bob, Steffen and Kate, David and Lisa, Beau and Kendal will have Thanksgiving dinner - which was especially hard to cook without the Boss around.
As Jim said very well "The moments, strung together, create a fullness for which to be grateful."
It's painful this year, but very rich.
Amen to what everyone has posted, I couldn't of said it any better
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