Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is here, one of my favorite holidays. Just the idea of having a day to celebrate all our blessings makes me feel, well blessed. I always start off by giving thanks for all the people who are in my life. It is they who give my life its depth, its reason and its resonance. It is they who make all things bearable and provide relief when the darkest hours descend. It is also they who carry my joys to their highest point and shimmer in my dreams and memories alike.

In the course of my life I have touched and been touched by so many, each of them has added something to the course of my journey. Each of them has changed me in some way. Each of them (you) has made me a little bit "more". More resilient, stronger, more empathetic , more joyous, more understanding, more caring and more loving.

You, my family and friends are my greatest blessing. I truly believe we are in each other's lives for reasons beyond our understanding. You are my greatest gift and for you I offer my first words of thanksgiving.

I am also grateful for each of you who touches me in more subtle ways: by reading this column and responding in some way, or by speaking to me when we meet in the street, or by providing me with a service that makes my life easier or safer. If you have touched me at all, I thank you and I thank God for having you in my life.

Thanks too, to everyone who made the Community Thanksgiving service such a success.

Now for a few words about what goes on with you. I did get some information from Susie Bell about her recent trip to Kansas City. She was indeed attending a class at the St. Paul's School of Theology as part of YouTheology. This is a group of young people who are studying ways to be more involved with Methodism. Teachings center around ways to exhibit our love for God, community and ourselves. Yeah, sometimes loving ourselves can be the hardest, but how can we love others well if we haven't learned to love ourselves. In March Suzy will go back to Kansas City, MO to give some assistance to needy people in some of the rural areas. That's great, Susie. Keep up the good work.

I missed seeing Joey Pruett playing backup for Elvis, but I hear that performance was a smashing success. Did you see it?

The holiday festivities have begun. Next week the annual Christmas parade and community party. Do you think Santa will be there? Then the Night of Chocolate. I always look forward to both of these. I hope I see you there. Then there are a string of Christmas parties. Oooh, I love this time of year! I better go get ready for all the fun.

Who came to your house for Thanksgiving? Give me a call or email me to let me know. My address is 514 West 3rd St. Phone: (870) 595-3173 and email: porchswing@newwavecomm.net. Thank you so much for all your emails and phone calls. I love hearing from you.

Don't forget to say a prayer for soldiers everywhere.

Also remember to support our Operation Dad Bags Program.