Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day in this country. Needless to say I have not had much to be thankful for the past couple of weeks.
On reflection, even with the loss of my precious Joanne, I do have many things to be glad about. I'm thankful that I made it to the big 65 years of age this month and still be in good health. I'm thankful for the family and friends that have rallied around me during these really trying last two weeks. I'm thankful for all the good memories from the past 23 years that Joanne and I got to spend together. I'm thankful for all the traveling and the sights we were able to see over these years.
Thanksgiving day was spent with our niece, Carrie, and her family at her in-laws house. I picked up the mother-in-law and took her out to their house east of town for a magnificent feast. I am so thankful for having Carrie in my life. She has been my rock during this ordeal and has been right there through the whole thing.
I am thankful for my sons. My oldest, Alex, called almost immediately and volunteered to come stay with me. His being here for the week following Jo's death was tremendous. This house had gotten awfully quite and lonely all of a sudden. Having him here, helping with all the details that had to be attended to was wonderful. My youngest son, Alan, and his lovely lady, Cathy, have also been very supporting. Even though they have three young girls in their household they still made time to spend with the "Old Man".
I'm thankful for all the family members, 31 in all, that came to the cemetery last Saturday to help me say goodbye to Joanne at our private burial service. Also thankful for all the family, friends, former classmates, former co-workers and neighbors who attended the Celebration of Life service we had this past Tuesday. Especially thankful for Ron & Kay Rivoli who drove their motor home all the way from Louisville, Kentucky (800 miles) to sing at the service. (Only to immediately turn around and drive 800 miles back home so as to be with their family on Thanksgiving Day.)
I'm thankful for all the cards, e-mails and phone calls I've received from people all over this great country. This has been a real testament to the number of people who's lives were touched by Joanne over the years.
So, if nothing else comes out of all of this I wish to relay one thing to everyone reading this blog: Live life to the fullest, let your loved ones know that you care and tell them often, hold the ones that matter close to you. We never know what tomorrow will bring.
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4 comments:
I wondered where you would go on Thanksgiving. Rita's husband Jack normally has to go to Missouri or Alabama to see one of his daughters, though he is involved with his church and sometimes goes there. You are absolutely right that we all need to be mindful of all our blessings for we don't know what tomorrow will bring.
Well said Rick - Andy and I wish we could have been there, but health issues made that impossible. We were with you in spirit. We will all miss Joanne very much. We all have so much to be thankful for - thank you for pointing that out so beautifully! Take care and we hope to catch up to you before too long.
Well said Rick especially not to forget the last paragraph which was really driven home to me this last week.
Thought and prayers are with you to give the strength during these difficult times.
Well said. Isn't it true? Even in our bleakest moments we still have so much to be thankful for...
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