I am all Kinds of Full of Thanks!

This month – thanks to the suggestion of a dear friend – I have been thankful for stuff. Like, seriously thankful. Like thankful-out-of-the-wazoo kind of thankful. I have been earnestly committing to reflecting each morning on one thing to be thankful for and sharing that reflection here.

But today I am going to generalize my thankfulness. Because – honestly – I’m feeling lazy. And I don’t want to spread my thankfulness too thin. But don’t doubt that I could. I could totally whip up 100 things to be thankful for and include the truly important things in life like sunshine and impending vacations. But instead of a cornucopia of thankfulness today I’m going to reduce my thanks to just 1. That’s right - one generic TODAY I AM JUST PLAIN ASS THANKFUL. For my life. For everything in my life. I am all kinds of full of thanks!

 

 

A Lifetime of Paddling - A Month of Thanksgiving!

There is no rushing when paddling. When you paddle you go at the pace of the water and that pace ties you into a flow that is older than life itself on this planet. Acceptance of that pace, even for a day, changes us, reminds us of other rhythms beyond the sound of our own heartbeats. 

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR a lifetime of paddling!

A Month of Thanksgiving - November 25, 2012

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ― William Arthur Ward

I was the child no one wanted for a student. Obstinate. Opinionated. Curious. Well-read beyond my years. Front and center, hand raised high on every question - questioning the questions along with the answers. I came to understand at a very young age that there was so much to learn and so little of what I wanted to know being taught within the confines of the many schools and classrooms I was relegated to endure.

I have, however, been blessed to have had some really great teachers in my life. My Great-grandmother – who taught me to be a Wilds; my Grandfather’s mistress, Nora – who taught me that books are the quietest and most constant of friends; my 5th grade teacher Mrs. Johnson – who taught me that my curiosity was a thing of beauty to be cherished, nourished and admired; my first college professor Dr. Shuman – who encourage me to stretch myself beyond any and all external limits; and philosopher/author Parker J. Palmer – who taught me we teach who we are. That good teaching cannot be reduced to technique – great teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR all the GREAT teachers in my life that valued and shared their sense of identity and integrity with me.

Today I am Thankful for . . . SNOW!

I love snow. I absolutely adore snow. I get little-kid giddy when it snows. To me, snow is proof God has a sense of humor. If the weather forecast contains even the slightest possibility of snow, I'm sitting by a window, looking out, hoping and praying - please let it snow. Why do I love snow so much? 

I love snow because it brings out the kid in me - snow is the only weather you can play with. You might be able to play in the rain, but you can't do much with the rainwater. But with snow - well - there's almost no end to the things you can do with snow. And that's one of the reasons I love it. I love getting in the snow - touching it, holding it, walking in it, skiing in it - just plain loving it! 

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR snow!

Part of my *A Month of Thanksgiving* series

30 Days of Thanksgiving Continued - November 23, 2012

 

I sincerely believe that history matters.  History defines, educates and inspires us. It lives on in our stories and traditions. As custodians of our past we must value it, nurture it and pass it on.  Stories define one's sense of the unique nature of each of our families, and of our own places in them. They provide us with inspiration, warnings, and cherished values. These stories never leave us; they reverberate through our lives, guiding our choices in work, friendship and love.

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR memories – the history of our family shared through its stories.  

A Month of Thanksgiving - Thanksgiving Day 2012

"I Receive ALL of Life with Thanksgiving -
I have gratitude for EVERYTHING
that has ever occurred to bring me to this moment.
I give thanks for the joys and the sufferings,
the moments of peace and the flashes of anger,
the compassion and the indifference,
the roar of my courage and the cold sweat of my fear.
I accept gratefully the entirety of my past and my present life".
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

TODAY I AM THANKFUL for all things! 

 

A Month of Thanksgiving - November 21, 2012

 

They were once little boys who looked to me for everything - love, protection and guidance. They loved me unconditionally and snuggled up to be hugged at a moment’s notice. They are now men and though they will always be at the center of my life, I am no longer at the center of theirs. Their own sons and daughters have taken over that role. I am so proud of them that it makes me proud of me. I hope they know that. 

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR 

my two wonderful sons.