November 2008

Thankful

This may sound funny but this afternoon I realized it is Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks. There is so much in my life to be grateful for. The first things that come into mind are not things at all but people, images. Stacey dancing, Katie cheating at cards :o), my nieces playing twirl-a-chair, Emily sitting on her stool, the editorial board laughing together, the folks at Freedom Friends in our regular seats, and countless other friends too many to name. I am so grateful for them all. To love and be loved is the greatest gift of all. Everyday of my life I know this to be true on an ever deeper level in my heart.

Lately I have been doing a lot of thinking about what is meaningful in our lives. I've seen the American dream and how it is more of a nightmare than a dream. I've seen what it does to a person and the people around them when power becomes vital to have and to hold. I've seen people who have plenty of money but have little room in their lives to enjoy what it can bring. In my culture, we tend to spend a great deal of time and energy trying to obtain what is not worth having and little time on what is. Sometimes i imagine being in heaven and looking down to see what I still hold in my hands. What of value in my life made it through the fire of death? So far, I have only come up with two answers. One is the love that has been poured into my life by those around me and the other is the love I have poured into theirs. Everything else is transient and not eternal.

This is the knowledge I want to direct my life with. This is the truth I hold as my guide. I may not be well off financially or the most worldly successful, but when it comes to a rich life where it counts, that I've got and what's more, I know who to be grateful to. I truly am, a rich woman.

Last Updated: 12/30/2011