I started out to write the typical Thanksgiving Day Blog about all the things I’m thankful for.  And I have plenty.  Like my son arriving home safely from college after being gone 3 months, a houseful of people I love, a man I’m crazy in love with, friends we can’t live without, health, food, a warm fireplace. Things like that.  I am totally aware of all of those things.  And thankful beyond words.  But as soon as I think of those surface things, I’m quickly reminded of loss.  I think the holidays bring that out.  Hang with me…this isn’t meant to be a downer.  Thanksgiving and Christmas remind me also of what is missing.  We buried Jays’ mom this summer, his Aunt Sherry two weeks ago.  Friends have suffered incredible loss – lost marriages, homes and others friends of mine are missing their kids…just longing to have them home for turkey.  But they  bravely serve our country away from family.  I think of my girlfriend who buried her mama just a few weeks ago and posted on Facebook how she is trying to pull Thanksgiving off, but it’s just not the same.  I ache for her.  I think of our friend who lost his family several years ago and the loneliness that still lingers…looms.  Would that I could change it all for him.  And I’m sure you have your stories.  I started to post all the fall colors and I still have some for you to look at, but I felt more drawn to post this photo that I took a few weeks ago in Portland.

We were driving by the cemetery and an amazing rainbow lit up the sky. I was thinking of the contrast.  Something that represents death, and something that represents hope and promise all in one frame.  And that’s real life.  The terrible mixed with the beautiful.  The sting mixed with salve.  Comfort in the face of devastation.  I was reminded of this passage in 1 Corinthians 15:54-56 when I took this image:  ”⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” ⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”

One of the things I’m most grateful for this year has been learning how to embrace and receive comfort.  For every single place we have a hole in our hearts, there is greater still the love of God to rush in and fill our emptiness.  There is more healing and more comfort than there is despair. I hope these images will bring you some of that. Maybe your day, whether brimming with optimism and hope or struggling with loss, find you in a place of rest and peace.  I hate how cliche that all sounds, but that is honestly what I wish for each one of you, from my family to yours.

Hold your family close…take EVERY opportunity to express your love and gratitude.  Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!  I gotta get the turkey in!!!!!!

xoxo,

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