I am writing to you as I prepare to go to Arizona for the winter. We leave on Monday. But, I will write from Arizona during the months I am away from Vancouver.
My granddaughter, Chelsea, will be going on a Church mission in about two months. She has started putting things on her Facebook page that she is grateful for. I’d like to share some of the simple pleasures that I’m thankful for.
I’m thankful for waterfalls. They are soothing to hear and are beautiful. They are in many sizes and shapes.
I’m thankful for fountains for the same reason. They represent man and nature working in harmony together to reach up to God.
I’m thankful for babies. In 2½ years we have added the first five of our great-grandchildren to our family. Wesley, Eric, Allison, Mitch and Dawson. The bible tells us [Psalms 127:3] “Lo, children are an heritage. of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward.”
Education. I have an insatiable desire to learn as much as I can for my own needs and interests. I like both fiction and non-fiction, stories and biographies. Have you read Randy Pauch’s experiences in a book called The Last Lecture? A professor diagnosed with leukemia, discusses addages he learned in life from parents, teachers and others, and how he came to value love of family, take chances, step out of his “box” to enjoy life and help his students define who they want to become.
Music. I am thankful for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Their music can sooth, comfort, praise, celebrate and inspire every good human emotion that exists. I’m also a fan of some of the great composers. If you want to feel joyful listen to Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Flowers. They brighten and decorate my life When I held a cosmos in my hand I noticed the perfect little points of maroon atop each tiny golden seed in the center of the flower. It has pink petals with two arcs at the end of each of its eight petals, coming out of a perfectly formed little green cup. It is at the end of a slender green stalk I wondered about the Being who created this beautiful, perfectly formed flower and all other flowerrs that I enjoy.
I’m thankful for cool, clean drinking water. It satisfies my thirst like no other beverage. The Northwest has the best tasting water in the world! It is soft enough that it doesn’t fade my dark t-shirts or etch the sides of drinking glasses in my dishwasher.
I love the scent of fir trees, which brings to mind days spent enjoying Pacific Northwest forests, streams, ferns and blackberries. The song, How Great Thou Art plays in my mind.
I am thankful for my home. It is a place of refuge from the world..And for my husband who is my best friend. And the things we take for granted like food and good health and safety as we travel. And the blessings we don’t know even know about, which are tender mercies from the Lord.
I am especially thankful for being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ.of Latter-day Saints, which has the Lord’s Plan of Happiness.
I recommend a recent talk given by Elder Timothy J. Dyches, of the Seventy, from the recent general conference held in October 2013. I hope you will read and feel his message.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
