There are many Thanksgivings I could write about, but I’m going to focus on three. Each one very precious.
One…..
The first Thanksgiving I’m recalling took place thirteen years ago on November 25, 2005 in a hospital room in Portland, Oregon. It was a quiet one with my first husband, Bill Rudberg. He was very ill in the hospital, medicated so he was mostly sleeping. A bright spot that day came in the early evening when my daughter and mother-in-law dropped by with a plate of Thanksgiving dinner for both of us. I don’t remember if Bill ate any of his, but I really enjoyed my plate of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy. Earlier that morning, I read in the Psalms a verse that gave me hope. I recall excitedly reading the passage to him in his hospital bed, believing God was telling me this wasn’t the end for Bill. And it wasn’t. He lived another nine weeks. Nine weeks to celebrate one last Christmas. Celebrate more time with his beloved family. More time with me. And though nine weeks later he went to his heavenly home, we spent those last few weeks with hope–in the land of the living. With hope he would recover from his illness and be healed. And he was healed-perfectly–in Heaven.
Two…..
The next Thanksgiving I’m remembering, was on another continent with another husband, Blair Graybill. It was November 26, 2009, in the South African bush, a two hour flight from Johannesburg. This was our hut, complete with air-conditioning.
Sabi Sabi, South Africa.
It was a surreal time. We met some Americans from Chicago who wished us a Happy Thanksgiving and we enjoyed our common heritage. We enjoyed a sumptuous meal–though not turkey–had “sundowners”– appetizers and drinks out in the bush while on an evening safari. Little did we know this would be Blair’s last Thanksgiving on earth. We saw lions, leopards, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and many other exotic animals I’d only seen in the zoo but here in their real habitat–that vast, large place. It was a Thanksgiving I’ll not forget.
Three….
The third Thanksgiving I’m reflecting on took place five years ago, November 28, 2013. It was in my home that soon would be empty of most everything because I was getting married again. To Jim Mozena. It was a joyous time with anticipation of my new life to come with my new husband. We ate at a full table, with partially packed boxes nearby but it didn’t matter, we were together with family on both sides.
The present….
Those memories are special and I anticipate many more of them. But none of us really know the future. We don’t know who we will celebrate Thanksgiving with next year. Sometimes I have scary thoughts. Will I still have these dear ones surrounding me? What might happen in the months to come? We do not know. So for now, we will enjoy the present. With the ones we love. I enjoyed this morning a passage in the Psalms:
This is the day that the LORD has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
So I will enjoy the day. I hope you will too. Take each moment as precious and rare. You’ll be glad you did for none of us know the future and where we might be. And that’s how it should be. This is the day……
I got goosebumps as I read your words, Shirley. What a testimony your life is. The Lord has often used your words to encourage and bless me. Love you.
And I am blessed by you, dear Ann! Thank you!
Yes, that’s true. About 10 days after last Thanksgiving, Chuck said he didn’t feel and was sure he had stomach cancer. It seemed impossible , but ten months later he was gone
When I write my blogs, I try to think about what different people will feel when they read it. I want to encourage people, but not hurt, either. So glad you had those years with Chuck–though it was a short time, I know. A good lesson for eveyone to think about. We love you Jane, and miss Chuck, too.