It's time for some long overdue thank-yous. I've sent some thank-yous, but these ones deserve public recognition! :)
--I am grateful for...Mommy, Esther, Grandma, and Lisa for hosting us over the Christmas holidays! We enjoyed every minute (except when we were sick after eating too many of the yummy treats!). Let's do it again!
--I am grateful for...our Sunday School class (New Directions) for the big bag of gifts. I love the picture frame and stepping stone to remind me of Daddy, and the kids have played a lot with their felt Bible story. Thank you for all of your support and love and care over this last year. Here's to a calmer 2009! :)
--I am grateful for...one of the other SS classes (I'm not sure of the name??) for the three huge boxes of groceries and the grocery and gas cards! I had fun puting it all away. You'll never know how much we appreciate it!
--I am grateful for...our anonymous Christmas angel who blessed us with $900. I can't put into words how "hugged" I felt when I opened that envelope and just counting more and more Benjamins! :)
--I am grateful for...each one of you who have been the hand of Christ to us through a very difficult year.*
To join in the Gratituesday event or just read about abundant gratitude of others, head on over to Heavenly Homemakers!
*Just to clarify, I never have felt for one moment that Madeline's birth was anything but a blessing. It may be hard for some to understand, but if I were given the choice to have Maddy whole and perfect, it wouldn't be an easy thing to accept. Obviously, I hate thinking about what she may be facing, and I would never want her to be in pain, but all of her issues--complete paralysis from belly down, head just now getting back to normal after the last episode of hydrocephalus and shunt repair, severly curved back, turned feet, neurogenic bladder, chronic lung disease and all--make her who she is, and it would almost be like being handed a different baby and someone taking mine should she suddenly not have any of those issues. Ok, that was a bit convoluted...Maybe my coping mechanism? At any rate, I feel that very deeply. I'm not so sure that I've quite gotten to that place with Daddy suddenly leaving us for Heaven.
3 comments:
I admire your attitude and know that only God's grace can carry you through difficult times. Somedays I wish that I could be a little more optomistic as you are. You are an inspiration to everyone around you. God has His reason for everything. I've been told that when we go through rough times, it's so we can help others that we run accross along the way who need a stepping stone. Your grandma Cessna has been such an encouragement to me different times through my life. God has used her at exactley the moment that I needed somone. I think you must take after her!! Keep looking up! God will also help you in the loss of your father although that's a loss that one never gets over. Especially "Daddy's little girl" Love ya so much! Sounds like you have a real support system around you!
I'm so, so glad you shared this for Gratituesday. Your perspective on everything going on around you right now is refreshing and encouraging. I'm glad so many people around you are taking such good care of your family. I'm glad you are able to see God's hand in all the places of your life right now. I'm glad that you are thankful that God gave you your little girl just the way she is and that SHE is the little girl you want.
I am encouraged by you.
I have an Aunt with Spina-bifida. She has been my dearest friend for the last thirty years of my life. She still is living with my grandparents. She has graduated from culinary art school and makes the most divine chocolates. She made my wedding cake. For the most part she has lived a very normal life. I am so grateful for her. I wouldn't want her any other way. All my Aunts have moved on and she has always been my constant. Anyway... I just want you to know somone you don't know can relate.
Shandra's Friend - Lisa McKnight
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