Sisters in Spirit is a series of essays by a group of women who felt a spiritual perspective lacking from the steady stream of daily news. They each agreed to carve space monthly on their blogs for a spiritual conversation. The topic this month is … wait for it … gratitude.
I know! Gratitude. Before you jump away, your eyes rolled so far back into your “If I read ONE more ‘thankfulness’ post this month I’m going to shave off every Movember mustache and shove them into the turkey” head — this is a little different.
I’m not going to get overly sentimental and gushy; I’m going to give it to you straight, Internets.
The older I get, the more I realize 99% of my success and survival has been thanks to my parents. My folks, who met as teenagers and somehow, by the grace of God, have made it work for nearly 4 decades. I find myself in situations daily where I am using lessons they taught me. And not just, say, washing my hands after using the restroom. More like, speaking up for my views even though I’m the youngest in the room AND being ready to listen to the advice and wisdom of others present.
There wasn’t a day of my childhood when I didn’t hear, “You can do anything you want. You can be whatever you want to be. The sky is the limit.”
I thought all kids were so lucky.
So, this Thanksgiving, I am grateful for my parents Rex and Karel. They are two of the kindest and most generous people in the world. Thanks Mom and Dad for not only loving us knuckleheads, but for also loving each other. You’ve set the bar high, and my family is my greatest blessing.
{I’m I’m only a little weepy that we aren’t all together for the holidays.}
P.S. Love you too, Codeman.
I hope you continue this conversation by reading and commenting other perspectives on Christianity with my other Sisters in Spirit. Become part of the conversation:
Sarah is municipal attorney, mom to two boys, and United Methodist’s pastor’s wife. (She does not play the organ.) She is a life-long Missouri girl with a heart for hospitality and social justice. Sarah enjoys cooking, running, knitting and embroidery, reading, and playing in the sprinkler. Sarah blogs at www.beautyschooldropout.net
Bianca is a Navy wife from the great state of Texas (where she coincidentally currently resides), and she and her husband welcomed their first child in the fall of 2012. She has a passion for serving others, asking hard questions and sharing The Gospel with both her words and actions. Bianca loves Jesus, her hubs & her son, authentic friendships, traveling, making lists of all kinds, and trying new recipes which she blogs about on BecomingBianca.com
Rhonda is an attorney and native of Missouri. She is known for being overly-emotionally invested in her three, elderly dogs and dabbling in a ridiculous amount of hobbies, including sewing, music, and writing, while mastering none. She was baptized in her late twenties and is amazed and grateful that Jesus continues to put up with her. She blogs atbigsnafu.com