Obligatory Gratitude Lists
Quinn Thomas qthomas@outlook.com Mon, Nov 2 8:27 AM
Hello Sis!
Did you get a notice from mom yet about having Thanksgiving at her place? She talked to me last night and said she wanted to do ALL the food! AND she wants each of us to bring a “what we are thankful for” list. Seriously? Has she not been watching the news? I don’t know about you, but between trying to teach piano classes online, and knowing so many friends with major health or economic troubles right now, I’m struggling to be optimistic. How about you?
--Your favorite sibling, (I know this is true but don’t tell Ed. LOL!)
Quinn
BTW did Brandon’s sore throat turn into anything serious? Prayers for him.
Bobbie Jo passwordhater@gmail.com Mon, Nov 2 9:43 AM
Hey Quinn, yeah, I was surprised too. I guess mom wants to bring back some of those holiday traditions we did when we were kids. Not a bad idea. But as they say... timing is everything. Didn’t she even lose a friend to the big C within the last six months? And with Ed and his wife splitting since the last time we all got together, this “assignment” might be extra tough on him. Cooking the entire meal (and doing dishes!) might sound more appealing. Maybe I will contact him and see if he has any ideas on how to respect mom’s wishes. Can we buy a bunch of Thanksgiving cards and steal ideas? ;)
Love ya! -B.J.
P.S. Brandon is quarantined for 10 days, “just in case.”
Edward Hynds, Jr. F.E.Hynds@safeharborinsurance.com 21/04/11 1400
Re: Thanksgiving
Dear Quinn and Bobbi,
Thanks for the thoughtful phone message and email. I appreciate your concern.
When I think about things to appreciate, I recall what happened to a certain gentleman you may know. He lost his mother when he was nine, and was devastated by the death of his fiancé in his twenties. He ran for political offices unsuccessfully several times. It might have been Dad that told me this guy was also a lawyer whose reputation was damaged when he lost a Supreme Court case. Some good things did happen though when he married and had four sons. But one baby passed away soon after birth. When another son died at age 11, this grieving dad did not go back to work for three weeks. This is the same man who received not only hate mail but death threats after he was eventually elected to office. In response he said, “I am a patient man—always willing to forgive on the Christian terms of repentance.”
Have I piqued your curiosity yet? Or have you already realized whom I am referring to?
Here’s another hint: the same man wrote this:
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come,… cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God…They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that [these blessings] should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father.
(Hoping you don’t mind a history lesson.)
As I was thinking about President Lincoln writing this proclamation DURING the worst war ever in America, God brought this verse to my (aging) mind: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2)
So I am going to pray and watch how the Savior helps me write that gratitude list.
Your thoughts??
Looking forward to sharing Thanksgiving with you,
--Ed
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that counts. It’s the life in your prayers.”
–Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)