Thursday, December 6, 2007

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that we live in an era where, with the flip of a switch, there is light after sundown, and there is warmth without soot. I'm thankful for night lights and reading lamps and flashlights that you can wear around your head. I'm thankful for clothes dryers that warm our towels and hot water heaters that give us warm baths and hot tea. So nice, isn't it?

Best of all, I'm thankful for the resonating warmth that a radiant soul leaves in his or her wake. Don't you love it when you run into one of those? Someone who seems to float? To remind you? So thankful for those lighted people.

What are you thankful for?

4 comments:

Melissa said...

A friend and I spent Monday evening taking a family from Garden City that we met last summer while doing mission work with the kids at Mexican American Ministries shopping for winter clothes. We have formed a relationship with this ministry and with the people there, and we were made aware of a need. Our church gladly donated the funds needed. Leslie and her family are here for the next 2 wks staying in the Ronald McDonald house while she receives radiation for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She is a brave little 11 year old and so wise beyond her years. Mom speaks limited English, so she is her voice to the English speaking world. Anyway, as we were shopping for NEW and BRAND NAME clothes for Leslie, her mom and 3 siblings, Les asked me if I liked shopping. My reply was "It's one of my favorite things to do", and then I asked her the same question. She replied, "Yes, I do...this is the 2nd time in my life to do it!" UGH! She thanked us, thanked us, and thanked us some more. She said that she couldn't find the words in her heart to tell us what this meant to her. The people at Gordman's were beyond graceful as they gave an extra discount and didn't frown as Leslie's 2 & 4 yr old siblings ran around and messed up the racks of clothes!!! it was an amazing night that lifted the spirits of a family that has a very tough time ahead of them. It also slapped me back into reality and helped to realign my priorities. The realization also hit me that because Leslie will be a patient in the Peds wing at Wesley, she will most likely be a recipient of Susan Eckel's generous Frosty the Snowman gift giving. The moment this dawned on me, I just sat and cried. This is the first time that I've personally gotten to experience something "good" coming from Kyrie's battle. Leslie, a little girl I love, will be made especially happy this Christmas because Kyrie was here...she made her mark. So, I'm thankful for people like Susan, my friend Donna, my church family, Megan & Chad, and so many more. People that give of themselves to make a difference in the world. Pray for Leslie...she's fighting this thing with all she's got. She's so brave and her soul is so radiant. Even though cancer has left it's ugly mark on her...skin problems, devastating weight loss, loss of her hair, sunken eyes...she still just radiates a light of happiness and hope. She's one of those people that Meg spoke of...she lights and warms the world around her. So, I'm also thankful for Leslie.

Big Love,
Melissa

ksfaith said...

I am thankful for friends who hold me accountable. The friends who don't let me stray from them or from God. These friendships spur growth and goodness, not gossip and gripe! Today I'm thankful for all of those people in my life.

motherof2 said...

Melissa, that is beautiful.Thank you for sharing that. I am praying for Leslie, too!

humblepie said...

Love this connection, Melissa! Incredible.