In a self focused world

    Thanksgiving is a refreshing contrast.

Like a pearl in the midst of the ordinary.

Yes,

   it gives us all an opportunity to gather with family

        and close friends

   to lift our hearts toward heaven

       and give thanks.

My thoughts wander today

  to those who have touched my life in so many ways.

Grandparents,

    parents,

       brothers and sister,

       and precious daughters that daily fill my heart with sunshine.

Teachers,

  and supervisors,

   neighbors and friends.

So many.

 My heart overflows just thinking about them.

So this thanksgiving I am writing a letter

    or two or three.

With simple words but lots of heart

  I will try to share

   what their life has meant to mine.

We all journey together for a short space, don’t we?

Touching and then parting.

Holding and then separating.

Even though the time together is very small

   in comparison to a lifetime

the impact is great.

The Sunday school teacher that planted the idea

   that someday I might be a teacher.

 That led to a wonderful career as a first grade teacher for over twenty years.

The college friend that smiled incessantly.

The high school friend that touched me with her loyalty.

The fellow teacher

    who day after day shared her support and ideas.

That mail lady who rain or shine has a nice word to say about everyone.

So many different people

    thousands of gifts from His Hand.

Yes, it’s time to write some letters,

      and make some calls.

Thanksgiving Day is coming.

And there’s not much time left.