Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, and confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Melody Beattie, American author of self help books.
The last night we stayed in our home before evacuating ahead of Hurricane Irma, I reflected on all the blessings that had occurred within these walls. I wondered if we would ever be able to spend another night here, feeling so safe?
We are among the fortunate ones. The damage we encountered could be repaired, cleaned up, carted away. We were inconvenienced for weeks. But for many throughout Texas, Florida, the Caribbean and even in Georgia, it might take years to recover. Some may never fully recover.
Where do any of us begin to list the blessings for which we are thankful?
Let me start with water. Not knowing what to expect when we returned home, I, an hour before we left, drew water into every possible container- assorted pitchers, a thermos, pots and pans - and covered each one tightly. I had bought as much bottled water as I could locate. I felt certain we would have enough water to drink IF we could come home.
When we returned, we had both power and water. However, we were under an advisory to boil all drinking water. The advisory remained in effect for a week. While I had to remember not to use tap water to brush my teeth, we were good. Habits can be both good and bad. Over and over, I watched televised scenes of displaced people being allotted two cases of water per family. My heart ached for them. I wanted to reach through the screen and hand them water.
Because 65 percent of the human body is water nurturing all aspects of life, the average person can survive about three days without this liquid. Although there are miraculous tales of some individuals surviving as much as ten days without fluids, those examples are few and far between. We need water, clean drinking water, to exist. When was the last time that we offered thanks for this precious substance?
Like so many blessings we enjoy here in the United States, we all too quickly take them for granted. They are at hand. But as Ben Franklin reminds us, “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.” Or, when floods cover the land with salt water and damage water facilities, we know its worth.
But it’s not just clean drinking water at a twist of the faucet that we assume will always be easily accessible; we take most of our creature comforts for granted. What about home? - “The place,” according to Robert Frost, “where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.”
Then, there’s electricity to power all of our marvelous appliances and electronics.
Food. Most of us were startled to see store shelves bare during Hurricane Irma. Usually, we’re annoyed that we have too many choices from which to select. Or, that the store is momentarily out of our preferred brand. Beauty. While Irma’s storm surge wreaked havoc in our yard, pale pink roses greeted us at the back door upon our return.
Friends. We know they are always there for us. When two of my very dear friends died only weeks apart, the loss cut deeply. Family. Have we told them today and everyday how much we love them? Transportation. We jump in the car and drive wherever we need to go. Information. It’s available 24/7. Sometimes, it overwhelms. But what would we really know about our own community, the ongoing coal ash saga, without The Press-Sentinel? Schools. How many students go, but fail to take full advantage of every opportunity? Some complain that they’re “bored.” Learning is never boring. Prayer. Do we pray without ceasing, good times and bad? Or do we lift prayers only in times of trouble and want? Have we abandoned this great gift from God entirely?
My list is endless - a comfortable bed, a good night’s sleep, a hot cup of coffee in the morning, the sunrise and later, the magnificent sunset over Hickory Creek, a safe place to walk, air conditioning, children and grandchildren who care, laughter, good books to read, daily devotionals that inspire, the ability to work, clean air to breathe, first responders, caregivers…
Joseph B. Wirthlin, American businessman, says, “The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less.”
Thanksgiving Day reminds us to look, to see, to acknowledge the existence of so many blessings, even in times of trouble. Then, we, with a grateful heart, give thanks. My grandfather always replied to any kindness or gift, with “I’m much obliged.” He felt a strong obligation to return any favor or to give thanks to God. Thanksgiving, dressed in all of its autumn beauty, is action, not merely a state of being. We must not only count our blessings, we must make our blessings count.
2017
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