Gratitude

That's part of Thanksgiving

I would be remiss on this Thanksgiving Eve if I didn’t talk about all the blessings in my life. I am thankful for so much that this column would be book-sized if I named them all. Okay, maybe this isn’t the top of my list, but I am thankful for distracting television when I need to relax.

Sutton Stracke on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills says, “Name them.”

I am grateful to be part of several musical groups, and I love all of them, as well as our performances, which bring joy to so many. I can say the same thing about being one of the McFarlin Line Dancers.

My friend from Sooner Toastmasters created memes of all of us. This is the meme he made for me. I love all the memes he designed.

I am happy to be a part of Toastmasters and blessed to have won first place in the Club and Area contests, plus second place in the District contest.

I am grateful for all the wonderful writing clubs that I am a part of, as well as for being published in a Route 66 anthology.

I am thankful for my church, McFarlin Methodist, which offers so much in the way of love and giving to others.

I am thankful for both longtime friends throughout my life and new friends who came into my life this year. I am also grateful to my family, including those who are now in Heaven, for enriching my life along the way.

This is a long-ago photo of my family. My oldest brother Jim (top right) and the middle sibling Marianne (far right on first row) are now in Heaven, as are both of my parents and my beloved niece Lauren with her baby Avery, plus numerous beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

The list goes on and on, but most of all, I am grateful for the forgiveness of my sins through Jesus Christ, my Savior. The good news for everyone can be found in John 3:16, which states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”