Eight years ago, Blue and I moved to Canada. I have loved living up north. One of my favorite things about being here, and there are so many, is that I am able to celebrate Thanksgiving twice!! Canadians are a more laid back bunch than Americans. And, I have really grown to appreciate the lower key celebrations.
We drove to Saskatoon for Canadian Thanksgiving to celebrate with Blue's parents, uncle, brother and family. I love the anticipation of the Thanksgiving dinner, the hustle and bustle in the kitchen, the hands getting a good-natured slap for sneaking in for a sample, the mouth-watering smell of the turkey coming out of the oven, and the gathering around the table to thank God, the giver of all good things, for all that He has done for us.
Years ago, our family started a tradition of sitting around the table and sharing something or someone that we are thankful for. I can't remember who began this Thanksgiving, but a few people had taken their turn when Blue looked at our four-year old Meadow. "Meadow, it is your turn, what are you thankful for?"
"God!" she answered loud and clear.
I felt tears spring to my eyes. That one simple word said everything that we all had been describing in being thankful for family, health, friends, and material abundance.
I think that we should have Thanksgiving every day. No, not the turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and pumpkin pie, but the constant spirit of gratitude that is deliberately stating what we are thankful for.
I can honestly say that there is not a day that goes by that does not contain a complaint, a disgruntled attitude on my part. There is always something to complain about. What if, just if, I replaced those complaints with gratitude, even if, in my shortcomings, my answer is a loud and clear, "GOD!"
I am starting today. Today, I am thankful for my son, Ocean, using the potty at school. I am thankful for my youngest son, Forest, learning to count to five. I am so very thankful for my daughter, who led me up the stairs with my eyes closed, to surprise me with a spotless living room! She did solemnly state that she couldn't do that every day. I laughed out loud! no, sometimes, we feel as if we can't do it every day, but we are just starting with today....
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Time continues
My hopes were high for a slow, relaxing fall. Sigh! I guess it just wasn't meant to be, but the dream still floats on the edges of my mind.
The Old School Ice Cream Bus is closed, finishing a fifth summer strong and healthy. God is good. To say that it was a busy summer is a bit of a understatement. I look back on it and wonder how we ever get ourselves into the positions that we do. Are we too nice? I don't think so. A little gullible maybe? Possibly. My motto for the summer was "just keep it together, Deb, it is only for three months!" That mantra worked most of the time, but the few times that it didn't, there was a really bad and embarrassing scene. When a thirty-two year old throws a temper tantrum, it is not a pretty sight. Of course, when I was finished there must be someone to blame besides myself, right?
I chose to place the blame on a friend of ours, let's call him "Bob". Our friend, Bob, asked us to do a "small" favour for him at the beginning of the summer. This small favour grew, and expanded, finally concluded in us running his small business for the summer. Our human nature is so well-trained in the art of caring for ourselves, that to truly help another human being with no personal gain is unnatural, even painful. I was a perfect example. And, as we wrap up all of the final details for both of our businesses, I can't stop thinking about it.
Why do we do the things we do? Why do we lend to a neighbor or a friend? Why do we spend our leisure time helping someone in need? Do we do a good deed sacrificially, or do we tend to our own first, then give to others? Do we expect a returned favor, compensation, or even a hearty pat on the back? Do we only help those who can eventually help us in return, or do we help those who can never repay us?
And, do we serve graciously, or do we cause the receiver to feel guilty, even ashamed that we are helping them?
I was reading "The Giving Tree" to my kids the other day. The story tells of a tree that gave everything it could for the love of a boy. He continued to give even though he often did not receive what he desired most from this boy. At the end of the story, my daughter says, "that little boy didn't even say thank-you!" How do I teach her that she must always be grateful when receiving, but not always to expect gratitude when she is the giver. I haven't even learn this myself...
The Old School Ice Cream Bus is closed, finishing a fifth summer strong and healthy. God is good. To say that it was a busy summer is a bit of a understatement. I look back on it and wonder how we ever get ourselves into the positions that we do. Are we too nice? I don't think so. A little gullible maybe? Possibly. My motto for the summer was "just keep it together, Deb, it is only for three months!" That mantra worked most of the time, but the few times that it didn't, there was a really bad and embarrassing scene. When a thirty-two year old throws a temper tantrum, it is not a pretty sight. Of course, when I was finished there must be someone to blame besides myself, right?
I chose to place the blame on a friend of ours, let's call him "Bob". Our friend, Bob, asked us to do a "small" favour for him at the beginning of the summer. This small favour grew, and expanded, finally concluded in us running his small business for the summer. Our human nature is so well-trained in the art of caring for ourselves, that to truly help another human being with no personal gain is unnatural, even painful. I was a perfect example. And, as we wrap up all of the final details for both of our businesses, I can't stop thinking about it.
Why do we do the things we do? Why do we lend to a neighbor or a friend? Why do we spend our leisure time helping someone in need? Do we do a good deed sacrificially, or do we tend to our own first, then give to others? Do we expect a returned favor, compensation, or even a hearty pat on the back? Do we only help those who can eventually help us in return, or do we help those who can never repay us?
And, do we serve graciously, or do we cause the receiver to feel guilty, even ashamed that we are helping them?
I was reading "The Giving Tree" to my kids the other day. The story tells of a tree that gave everything it could for the love of a boy. He continued to give even though he often did not receive what he desired most from this boy. At the end of the story, my daughter says, "that little boy didn't even say thank-you!" How do I teach her that she must always be grateful when receiving, but not always to expect gratitude when she is the giver. I haven't even learn this myself...
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