We thank Thee, Lord

          After several years of disruptions to our family gatherings caused by covid and other illness, we finally were able to gather on Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving. Sixteen of our eighteen family members were there.  My middle son and his wife were absent because he just had hip replacement surgery on Monday and wasn't allowed to travel.

          We had a great time of sharing what is happening now and remembering times from the past.  God has been so good to us as a family and we have so much to thank Him for.

          We also welcomed our first greatgrandchild, thirteen month-old Malachi.  Since he lives near Boston it was a special opportunity to get to know him.  Lord willing we will be together once again on Christmas Eve, another family tradition.

          The day had many special times, but one really touched my heart. It has been a family tradition for many generations to sing our prayer before we eat.  The harmony was special but this time the words and the tradition meant more to me than ever.

          As we sang, I realized how unique this opportunity really was.  I was touched by the knowledge of how true the words were to all of us in attendance.  And I realized that this might never happen again here on this earth. I thought of particular relatives with whom I had sung this in previous years. Precious memories! I hope for the Lord's soon return.

          Here are the words and message of this traditional meal time prayer:

 

We thank thee Lord for this our food,

God is love, God is love.

But most of all for Jesus's blood,

God is love, God is love.

These mercies bless and grant that we

may live and feast and reign with thee,

may live and feast and reign with thee,

God is love, God is love.

Amen!

 

I hope that you had a meaningful Thanksgiving and may the truth of this chorus be real in your life.

Leaves, leaves, leaves

          Leaves, leaves, … leaves.  Oh, how I love to view the beautiful fall leaves.  There is a wondrous beauty in God's handiwork each Fall as He paints the mountains and valleys with beautiful reds and yellows and oranges.
          But, sadly they pass too quickly and often they are left for us to pick up and discard or burn.  But even the smell of burning leaves can be a special treat.  However, cleaning them up can be a major job.

          I am thankful that in recent years we have had my grandson, Zach, to do most of the clean-up for us.  That takes him many hours and we are no longer able to share the work with him. But he has been very reliable and works without complaining no matter how cold it may be.
          We have a beautiful red maple and we have enjoyed its colors for decades.  But it has one problem – it doesn't shed its leaves until the beginning of December.  By that time, we reach the end of the time when our township will pick up our leaves.  So, every Fall we race against the calendar in hopes of having our large piles of leaves hauled away. This year our tree appears to be extra late so we may lose the race this year.  Do you want some leaves?
          One of my most interesting memories came the year my mother was killed in the auto accident.  Her memorial service came when we had piles of leaves to remove throughout our property.  As a joke I changed our phone message to invite folks to help clean up our leaves.  While we were at her service, a family from our church showed up and did just that.  They cleaned up better than we ever did.  We were surprised, stunned and extremely thankful.  That was one task we did not think about that year.
          Now their response was the right kind of response to the statement "Just let us know if we can do anything for you." There are always things that you can do for those of us who have needs or are handicapped.  Just open your eyes.
          Well the leaves will soon be gone for another year.  But then, unfortunately, next comes … are you ready? …. the ice and snow.  I'll gladly take the leaves any day.

          Oh, by the way, if you want to help with the leaves just come on over.  You are always welcome!

Would You Believe?

          My husband and I went through the McDonald's driveway window and I gave the cashier a $5 bill.  Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her 25c.  She said, 'you gave me too much money.'   I said, 'Yes I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar back.' She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request.  I did so, and he handed me back the 25c, and said 'We're sorry but we don't do that kind of thing.'  The cashier then proceeded to give me back 75 cents in change.  Do not confuse the people at MacD's.

 

          We had to have the garage door repaired.  The repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener.  I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, 'You need a 1/4 horsepower.'  I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4 and he said, 'NOOO, it's not. Four is larger than two.' We haven't used that repairman since...

 

          I live in a semi rural area.  We recently had a new neighbor call the local city council office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road.  The reason: 'Too many deers are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.'

 

          IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE.  My daughter went to a Mexican fast food and ordered a taco.  She asked the person behind the counter for 'minimal lettuce.'  He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce.

          I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?'  To which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?'  He smiled knowingly and nodded, 'That's why we ask.'

 

          The pedestrian light on the corner beeps when it's safe to cross the street.   I was crossing with an 'intellectually challenged' co-worker of mine.  She asked if I knew what the beeper was for.  I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red.  Appalled, she responded, 'what on earth are blind people doing driving?!' She is a government employee.

 

          When my wife and I arrived at a car dealership to pick up our car after a service, we were told the keys had been locked in it.  We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver's side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. 'Hey,' I announced to the technician, 'its open!'  His reply, 'I know. I already did that side.'

 

STAY ALERT, THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!

Posted on wrong date

           In case anyone actually noticed, the post "Whispering Hope" should have been posted on November 4 instead of the date it did post.  Another "senior moment" by the "head blogger".