Thanksgiving

 photo taken by Emma

This post is very late what with Thanksgiving happening a week ago.  And even though it is quite fashionably late, I’m going to post it anyway.  Over the last few weeks of blog quietness, I’ve been thinking on why I have this blog and what I want to do with it.  Honestly, I came close to just deleting it.  Sometimes I feel so…lacking…when it comes to this blog.  I am not really a writer.  Nor am I a photographer.  I wondered if the world really needed another blog.

Then I realized that the world might not need another blog but I needed this blog and my family needed this blog.  First, I need an outlet – a place to create something and express my thoughts.  My family needs me to preserve our memories.  And with that, I had the purpose for this blog.  I want to write down what we do in our everyday as we strive towards our dreams.  I love to look back at some of the older posts and see my kids and how they’ve changed.  It’s a lot of fun to see the garden over the years and read about our homeschool.  Yes, I needed to keep the blog open.

And then, quite unexpectedly, someone commented to me that my blog helped them.  What?  This little blog helped someone?  At first, I panicked because I felt totally unqualified or unable to actually help someone.  (Still do, really)  But then I felt…honored (and quite humbled too).  Honored that God would use this little place to speak to someone in some way.  It is my prayer that I will always use this space on the web to bring glory to Him!

And what’s that got to do with Thanksgiving?

Nothing really.  {smile}  Other than just to say that sometimes this place might be a little behind on the times or not so eloquent but I’ll still keep sharing what’s on my mind and in my heart.

So…on to Thanksgiving… {smile} 

 photo taken by Emma (and that’s her feet too)

I love Thanksgiving.  Always have.  It is such a simple day.  Just a lot of yummy food.  Family.  And no pressure.  We talk, we laugh, we remember.

Thanksgiving has taken on a whole new twist for me these past few years though.  Six years ago, I met at the same house you see in the above pictures.   Six years ago, I stood in this yard and I talked with my Baby Brother.  We joked.  We had “our jokes”.  We laughed.  He was carrying a burden that day too.  He was going through some rough times in his life.  We talked about that too.  It’s just what siblings do.

 photo taken by Emma (can you tell I was too busy talking to take pictures at Thanksgiving)

And that was the last time that I talked to, hugged, laughed with, and advised my little brother.

Now I’m not trying to be all sad or make this a sad post.  Quite the opposite, actually.  I miss my little brother and I think of him often…especially at Thanksgiving.  But his death made me very aware that there are many things we need to do in our short times here on this earth.  And you’ve probably heard these same things many times but they are always worth repeating…even if it’s just to drill it through my thick head again! {smile}

 Emma shooting a b.b. gun

Live everyday to its fullest.

Laugh as much as possible and as often as possible.

Don’t cry over spilt milk.  (so cliche but so true)

 Abby riding at PawPaw and Grammy’s house

Spend time with family.

Take a lot of pictures…and take pictures of everything.

Let people know that you love them.  Hug them.  Let them know you appreciate them and how special they are to you.

 I spent time in my Dad’s garden the day after Thanksgiving…does it get any better than this? {smile}

 

Give generously to others.

Give not only your worldly goods but your time to others.

Spend some time doing what you love.

 fresh green beans from Dad’s garden

Spend time with God.  He is the Author of true peace and comfort.

Know God’s Son, Jesus.  Believe in Him.  Follow Him.

Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams or be different from the crowd.

 

 Grant shooting at targets with a b.b. gun

Don’t be afraid to show the real you.

Let others know you’re not perfect.  (I’m not saying complain but let others know that you mess up.  It makes you real. So talking to myself right here!)

And I’m sure that there are other things I could list but my tired mama brain is not bringing it forth right now.  (See…letting you know that I’m not perfect! {smile})

What about you?  What would you add to this list?