HUGs

As I walked home from work this morning, I received a phone call from one of our patients-
an extremely young woman who happens to have been alive for 70 years. We usually try to get together to talk about books
or play boggle but this particular afternoon she called for a different reason. She wanted to make sure that I had a place to go for Thanksgiving, and if I didn't, she was going to call up her son's wife and demand that an extra seat be made for me at their "banquet table."

Maybe it is the lack of sleep over the past several days, or just the overall feeling of joy that the holidays always bring,
but at that moment, walking by the lake with the sun on my face and Revera telling me to have a "smashing good time" in PA, I could not help but understand the Psalmists cry of thanks when he prayed, "My cup runneth over".

So here's to all He's given me, who fill me up and then some:


Mom and Dad- Thank you for introducing me to Jesus. Thank you for your example of what a marriage should look like. Thank you for constantly supporting me in every decision I make. Every wise decision rather...and for the unwise ones, thank you for your patience and discipline while I endured the consequences. You are my best coaches and my biggest fans. To say I am grateful doesn't even scratch the surface.

Bafe and Jamo-Thank you for always laughing with me, and sometimes laughing at me. Thank you for your comfort, your car rides, and your Sunday morning breakfasts. I have such a special appreciation for you both and have been inspired by your dedication to serve others.

Buggy and Bird-Thank you for your kind hearted hospitality towards me. Thank you for always being there when I call. Thank you for your compassion, for the trip to the zoo :), thank you for putting up with two older, overprotective sisters, thank you for the example of what it means to "Seek First".

Grammy- Thank you for your friendship, your advice, your hugs...your brown bread. Thank you for seeing pieces of you in me, Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for always being willing to do things with me...whether simply going swimming or trekking out of the country.

Grandad- thank you for setting the bar so high. and thank you for loving grammy. and thank you for dancing with me to Jungle book songs and the Chattanooga choo choo. i miss you.

Grandma and PopPop_You do not read this, but thank you for being completely and utterly devoted to your grandchildren. Thank you for all the gifts you have slipped into my unexpecting hand. Thank you for the years spent on your knees for us. Thank you for teaching us all the importance of dancing together.

Betty-Thank you for knowing absolutely everything about me, and thank you for loving me in spite of it all.
Thank you for simultaneously enduring the same life struggles so that I never have to go through them alone.

Georgia-Thank you for sharing beauty, for sharing tears and laughter, for doing me the honor of telling me the truth, even when it hurts, for cheering me on, for your picture of love, and your testimony of blessings.

Nattygan- Thank you for your patience, thank you for countless songs/band advice and even more nights of laughter and hysterics. Thank you for always taking time and for your example of hard work and dedication.

Katherine-Thank you for letting me live with you. Thank you for your generosity to all your friends. Thank you for never giving up...and thank you for Coldplay.:)

Kelly-Thank you for your gentle spirit, thank you for cooking wonderful dinners and great conversations. Thank you for always getting us free bachleva (sp?) and for always sharing my burdens without me ever having to ask.

Beatka-Thank you for being my first polish friend. And thank you for re-introducing me to my imagination. I owe you big.

James- Thank you for your artistry, for your enthusiasm towards life, for your loyalty to your friends.

Jesse-Thank you for encouraging me with my writing, and for constantly seeking after Truth.

Beatrice-Thank you for letting me in. Thank you for sharing your stories without me asking. Thank you for always making me hot chocolate. Thank you for being able to read my silent moods, even though we are decades apart.

Amanda-Thank you for your letters. Thank you for letting me be blessed by your children. Thank you for all your medical wisdom and always being a phone call away if I ever need anything.

Brad-Thank you for teaching me to cook fish. And thank you for being the most kind guy I have ever had the pleasure of being friends with.

Claire- Thank you for your guidance and your beautiful words and your experience that you are so quick to share. Thank you for the kingdom work you do.

Chris-Thank you for all your beautiful pictures and, for encouraging me all the time regardless of the fact that we have only met each other once.

Josh-You are completely against blogs, so you will never read this, but thank you for pushing me out of a plane.

Uptown Church-You are my second home. Thank you for being challenging and comforting at the same time.
Thank you for giving me a place to use my gifts, and thank you for letting me be blessed by your youth.


Lord,
Thank you for salvation.
Thank you for abundant life.
and thank you for the promise of heaven,
where I pray that someday
I will stand side by side all these I cherish
and sing of your unending love for us all.