Thanksgiving.....

The wind whips across the mountainside howling, hurling the snow along with it into ever deepening drifts, it whistles against the building. I am thankful to have a roof over my head and four walls. I am thankful for the many hours friends and family (even a sister-in-law with child) have spent to help us do cleanup and build a shelter against such winter storms……

Dish soap drizzled into a large bowl, cold water and then boiling not one, but two kettles of water to make a hot soapy bath for the dishes. I rinse the clean pots and pans, plates and bowls, utensils and serving pieces, measuring cups and spoons in the frigid tap water and my hands become cold, but I am thankful for running water…….

Working in the kitchen preparing meals, my fingers numb with the chill of the air, but I am thankful for food to cook, as the day fades and darkness reigns, I am thankful for even the small light of an oil lamp…..

Grateful is what I am, for the many layers of blankets I sleep under to keep me warm, for loving parents that get up at all hours of the night to stoke the stove and keep a hot fire going all through the night…..

I am very thankful that my brother and sister-in-law live close by and are so gracious as to allow me to use their hot running water for baths….their washing machine and dryer to clean clothes….

For the good times of the family gathered close to the woodstove (that my oldest brother very lovingly restored so we would have a better heat source) sharing the warmth, a meal together, laughs, optimism and pessimism, manicures, movies…..for this season in my life I am grateful, and that it will not last forever, I am truly thankful. (Even if will look back upon it with very fond memories!)

I truly am blessed to have such a wonderful family, including married siblings and spouses, and I am very thankful for the tremendous love and serving we have shown each other this year through difficult circumstances, tests of faith and great joys, the times we laughed when we could have cried, were cheerful when things were bleak, worked together to get things done, ate salad out of the spinner together while apprehensive and yet excited over the impending birth of a new nephew. I have a lot to be thankful for and a special gold star goes to my sister-in-law Fogwood214 for her incredible graciousness and hospitality, her kindness and compassion. This year and this season of life would have been a great deal harder without her amazing generosity of attitude, time and resources. I should also give credit to my oldest brother, they have been not just family, but wonderful neighbors.

Happy Thanksgiving from TW at The Blue Castle!