Thanksgiving Day is now past, but gratitude continues into today, hopefully into tomorrow and in every day that lies ahead of us. Eighteen members of our extended family gathered round the festive table yesterday at the home of our son, Paul, and his beautiful wife, Helen. I can’t believe it, but it is true, Paul and Helen celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary just a few days ago!
Each year brings remarkable change and newness to our Thanksgiving Day as it does for every family. This year we celebrated Shawn (Katie and Liam’s friend from Wales) being a part of our family, adding an international dimension to our gathering. (This was Liam and Shawn’s first encounter with our American Thanksgiving). Helen’s mother and sister were present—they were born in England, but have lived most of their adult life here in the US.
Megan and Katie, daughters of Helen’s sister, were with us too. I’ve watched these two girls grow up! What an incredible experience! I am grateful for it! With Megan’s permission I share her photo on this blog today. Our two grandsons, Austin and Nick, were with us. Now college students, they always bring their grandad a sense of pride and a deep feeling of gratitude.
Thanksgiving continues today at our home—not with turkey and all the trimmings—but with additional family members gathering round the table with thanksgiving. Grandson Matt, his wife, Emily, and our first great-granddaughter, Addison, will be here, along with others. Can it get any better than this? Yes, says Browning, “the best is yet to be.”
Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace, and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills, in this world and the next.
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