Some Things Change...

Change in all things is sweet. ~ Aristotle

I am not fond of change. Just because my life changes weekly due to my husband's rotating shift doesn't mean that I embrace change.

Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving. My house was full of change. Changes in appearances, changes in attitudes, changes in our roles in life. When my immediate family gathers, there are thirty of us. Thirty of my beloved and hundreds of changes.

It seems like yesterday that we celebrated Thanksgiving at our childhood home with Mom and Dad. But they've handed over the reins and now we take turns hosting the holiday. Change. Our children, in the blink of an eye, have grown from teenagers into young men and young women, ready to take on the world. Change.

The toddlers in our family are teenagers and my nephew(when did he get to be a teenager?) even brought a girlfriend. Change. And the babies aren't babies anymore, they're toddlers. My brother and his wife are grandparents and the rest of us are great-uncles and great-aunts. Change.

Joe enters the kitchen, a serving dish piled high with succulent deep-fried turkey. We all gather in the kitchen, inhaling deeply and anticipating mightily our Thanksgiving dinner. We're all here, each and every one of us.We bow our heads and I recite the grace that has been handed down in our family throughout  generations:

Bless us, O Lord,  and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from Thy bounty through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

I choke up and tears clog my throat. Not from sadness or missing those who won't be with us anymore in this world. Not because of the passing of time or the changes I see on our faces.

I am simply overwhelmed. Filled to the brim with love.We have changed, for sure and for certain, but some things remain the same. We know each other's faults and strengths, we all share the same warped, wicked sense of humor, we start and finish each other's sentences. We are many, but we are one.

We are so blessed.

Dear Father in Heaven, of all the things I give thanks for, I give thanks for my loved ones the most. Each and every one of them. Thank You for these dear people. Amen.

The Glad Game

"There are so many things to be glad about," Pollyanna exclaimed. "I cannot begin to enumerate them all."
~Elizabeth Borton

It's that time of year again. Not that I don't love Thanksgiving - I do. It's one of my favorite holidays.

But how much more would I love Thanksgiving if we celebrated in the summer. I know, pretty silly idea. Can you imagine Thanksgiving without the red and gold falling leaves? Without the possibility of that first sugar-frosting snowfall? Thanksgiving without the spicy, seasonal pumpkin pie? No football? Unimaginable!

But I can imagine it. I can easily picture my family outside at the picnic table by the barbecue pit. The hot sun bears down and mosquitoes bite my bare ankles while a baseball game plays on the radio. Instead of pumpkin pie for desert,  I serve cherry cobbler made with the early June cherries from our orchard.

I'm a summer girl and this slide into the deep, dark days of winter has the ability to really get me down.

I have two choices: move to Florida or play the Glad Game.

The Glad Game originated in 1913 with the publication of Elizabeth Borton's book Pollyanna. This classic children's story grew so popular that the title of the book became synonymous for a person with a sunny outlook. In her book, Elizabeth Borton writes about Pollyanna, the orphaned child of missionaries. Forced to move in with her stern, humorless Aunt Polly, Pollyanna nevertheless finds a reason to be glad in each situation she encounters. She influences an entire town with her joyous attitude and teaches everyone she meets the Glad Game.

I think I'm in need of the Glad Game. Today, I'll be glad for this gorgeous fall weather, for even if the temperature is a cool 45 degrees, the day is full of sunshine and blue skies. While I'm at it, I'll rejoice that baseball season is over, because next year will be better for my beleagured Chicago Cubs. Joe has to work on Thanksgiving Day, but I can give thanks that my husband has a good job and that my family is coming over to celebrate Thanksgiving with us the following Sunday.

The Glad Game is really a simple game. No game board or pieces needed. Neither are any electronic devices or computer systems. All that's necessary is attitude. An attitude of gratitude.

.Heavenly Father, when my attitude needs an adjustment, please help me to remember the Glad Game. And to rejoice in all things. Amen.