We are Thankful... and Rested... and Content

Today was a day of rest for our family, as well as a day of Thanksgiving. We got up slowly, with Shari actually getting up before me (and the kids getting up way before us both). She got to work on the pumpkin pie for the day, while I read the day's comics with Michael. After a breakfast of fried eggs and sausage, we did very little else in the morning. Shari played a game of Scrabble with Michael. Mark and Matthew played games online (lego.com). I continued my reading of "The Fellowship of the Ring" for the second time. That has some fantastic moments and quotes in it, like the one I read today that is rather famous in many circles:

"All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;"

This is a quote referring to Aragorn, but it could refer to so many of us compared to how the world views us... or how we think others view us. It reminds me of the quote from the movie, "Alladin":

"A diamond in the rough..."

Shoot the rabbit before it gets too far off the main thought trail.

"BANG!"

There. Now, where was I...

So, after a relaxing morning, we decided to work up an appetite for dinner. We skipped lunch... sort of (we ate nuts, cheese, and crackers along the way), and headed out for a hike. I wish I could remember the name of the creek, but it escapes me. For now, it's a trail going up a creek just south of Florence, about 20 minutes from our home. It was a beautiful hike. The creek is roaring down this narrow canyon, and it was snowing just enough to be enjoyable. It was a picture you might expect from a movie, only better. We hiked a little over a mile round trip, then came back home. It was a perfect amount for our family to get ready for dinner, even Benjamin... though, truth is, he road on dad's shoulders most of the way, when he wasn't throwing rocks or sticks in the creek with his brothers. We all loved it, and want to do it again, whether up that trail, or up another one. While Shari and I enjoy every age with our boys, we are looking forward to the day when all four of them can enjoy the trails... even if they do throw snowballs at dad. In a couple years I won't be carrying any little boys, and I can fight back.

Dinner tonight consisted of pork roast, green bean casserole, stuffing, au gratin potatoes, and cranberry bread. My wife is an amazing cook, and it was delicious. Yet, at the same time, it wasn't stressful. There was no stress to make the place look perfect. We didn't dress up. We didn't even stress about how un-traditional we were being, not having turkey. We did have pumpkin pie later, though.

After dinner, in order to help us all remember the reason for this day (other than just a day to play together and eat), we had a special exercise that my mom started us doing a few years back. I think this is the first year that I truly appreciated the lesson it gives. We had each of the boys (and Shari and I) trace their hands. Then, on each finger, we write what we're thankful for. Then we (or mom) will laminate and save them. If we were all together, mom would tie them to a tree, almost like a Christmas tree, only it's for Thanksgiving. I'm hoping mom will keep it up until Christmas so we can all have our hands up there.

Finally, I added my own little tradition, which was to read scripture about what God says about being thankful. Michael read all of Psalm 100, and I focused on what David (the writer) said about all God has given us to be thankful for - His faithfulness, His enduring love, and His goodness. Then Michael chose his own verse - Psalm 13:6, which was another reminder that God is good. He is, and we are thankful.

May God bless you, and remind you of all you have to be thankful for.