Thanks

Holidays 2011 are finally here!! The turkey is in its spa of sage, rosemary and other savory spices and the stuffing is soaking up the seasonings ready for the oven tomorrow. At Mamo's house are pumpkin pies, pecan pies, apple pie and Mom's butterscotch pie which she especially made for Dad, all awaiting hungry mouths tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, my aunt is bringing the best homemade chocolate pie I've ever eaten in my life along with a pumpkin roll that I hope to kidnap (without ransom) and hide somewhere to enjoy later. (Insert mischievous laughter here!)

Today was one of the best days I've had in a while. Since my doctor restricted me again, it seems I have been stuck in the house far too long. I have a somewhat curious nature in the fact that I can be very social, but I have moments where I am a total homebody. Lately, since I'm not supposed to do anything, being home has been somewhat tedious, leaving me staring at four walls. My aunt persuaded Mamo to let her do most of the baking this year and I persuaded my hubby and mom to let me go over to her house and help bake - sitting down. It was decided I could go as long as I put my feet up and didn't exert myself. This morning, I woke up early, anxious to start. My hubby agreed to drop me off, but before getting there, I asked him to please feed me McDonalds. Yes, I know most of you are grimacing in horror right now, but I have been craving McDonald's breakfast and it was at this most humble place I was taught a lesson kindness and thankfulness.

I had sat down at a booth waiting for hubby to bring the food over and as I was waiting, I was perusing Facebook on my phone. I was not really paying attention to anything around me until an old voice said, "How are you this morning?" I looked up into kind eyes in an elderly face. I smiled, "I'm fine, thank you. How are you?" He replied and sat down in another booth. I went back to reading Facebook. A moment later, he turned around and said, "Miss, are you here alone? Do you need breakfast?" It surprised me momentarily as I am not used to elderly gentlemen randomly offering to buy me breakfast. I smiled at him again and said, "Thank you, but my husband is over there getting our food." He smiled back, "Ah, that is good. You see a lot of people alone sometimes and whenever I have money, I try to help in any way I can. I've been a Christian for 67 years and this is just want I do." My heart melted. How sweet. He was eating alone. I thanked him again and told him my hubby took great care of me, but I was so thankful for his offer. Being satisfied, he turned around and started eating his food and my hubby arrived with our food. As we started to eat, I told him about the gentleman's offer of breakfast and how good it made me feel.

As we were leaving, I stopped by the booth and thanked him again. His face crinkled up in a smile as he looked up at us and told my hubby he just wanted to make sure I was taken care of and he didn't see me with anyone. My hubby in turn thanked him for looking out for me. Our elderly friend went on to tell us he was 80 years old and had been in real estate for 22 years. He asked if we were from this area and we replied and introduced ourselves. He seemed genuinely pleased at our introduction and I noticed the thin gold wedding band along with his well-kept clothes. He didn't look 80 and I noted that his smile reached his eyes. We thanked him and wished him a very happy Thanksgiving.

I walked out into the cold morning all warm and toasty inside. It isn't often you see random acts of kindness that is real and not fake. It stayed with me all day until I realized I could have easily repaid the kindness. He was alone and elderly. I could have asked him if he was spending his Thanksgiving holiday with family and if he was alone, I could have invited him to share our heavily laden Thanksgiving table.

For several Thanksgivings now, there have been people share our table who aren't related to everybody. This is my family and I am proud that we don't have to celebrate with just family or people we are comfortable with. Now, I bet some of you are freaking out right now at the thought of inviting a total stranger into your home. In this day and age, it isn't something that would be considered safe and I can tell you this isn't something I would do with everybody, but there are times you can get a real first impression about a person and know you are safe. This gentleman was one of these exceptions. I will always forever wonder what blessing I missed out on by not making sure he had Thanksgiving plans.

Last year, my pastor at the time asked the congregation to write a list of things we are thankful. I actually blogged my list last year and I read it again. Now, Thanksgiving is more than just one day; we can strive to be thankful all year, not just one day. We are given many blessings along with our hard times all year long. However, I like the idea of writing a list of what I am thankful for. This year is a little different than last, but in many ways so much more meaningful.

This Thanksgiving, I am once again surrounded by family who have shown me so much love and support this year. My hubby is still in love with me despite those moments that he wonders if his hormonal wife will ever be back to herself and not dissolve into tears at the least little thing. LOL! My parents have changed their routine and lives to include us in their house and I am so thankful we all get along despite moments of nuttiness. We have had serious scares this year with both Mamo and Poppy, but how blessed I am that they are the next house down now and I have the privilege of walking down, curling up and spending time with them. Precious, precious memories! I am losing my job, but I am thankful for the experience I have gained and even in moments of worry when I wonder how it will all work out, I am determined to believe this is just another chapter that will be for my good. I am so thankful for my coworkers who have become much more than coworkers and have became friends, especially Mrs. J (who started with me my first day on the job) and Mrs. C.

My hubby and I had our lives and directions completely turned upside down this year and as a result, we are a part of a different church and we have been welcomed with open arms and big hearts. Of course, I am so thankful for my four earth-bound angels, the Mrs' D, K, W and V - each of you have brought so much into my life and there are no words to tell you how thankful I am for you; for getting me through my first trimester with words of encouragement and much prayer; for the daily chats and showing me so much love. The list of people who have prayed us through this spring and rejoiced with us this summer is long and, trust me when I say each of you have warmed my heart and I will never forget the kindness you have shown to us.

Mostly, thank you God for all the first wonderful moments I have had this year, of seeing another little heart flicker with life, hearing that wonderful heartbeat of our lil miracle awaiting to be born and thank you so much for protecting us this far. You see, we have reached another Huge Milestone this week. Only by the grace and loving mercy of God, we have reached the "point of viability," the week where Baby Girl is considered viable and given a shot of survival if she decides to come early, which we pray every day she does not! This holiday has so much more meaning for me as I feel her little movements that fills me with thanks for my blessings and fill me with such hope.

I love words and love expressing myself by writing, but I am finding myself more and more without adequate words at such moments of joy. My heart swells in praise and gratitude - truly "joy unspeakable" and I am thankful I am confident God can feel my wordless gratefulness and praise.

I hope this Thanksgiving all of you are surrounded by loved ones and each of you have too many blessings to be counted and all of us can say with love and thankfulness, "God bless us everyone!"