Canadian Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada. Last year I was seated at this joyful table, in a beautiful house, overlooking a magnificent landscape, breaking bread and enjoying wine with old and new friends I consider family. The memory will always be fresh in my mind. I knew in my heart it was a special moment to not let sadness creep in, but fully embrace it as a celebration of the end of a year lived with purpose and thankfulness. 

So, if I can celebrate Thanksgiving early this year with my Canadian friends, this is just a few of the things I'm thankful for:

The grace of my salvation and a God I see as a good and loving father.

To have gained a deep heart knowledge now of what it means to believe in God and live by faith - not just a head knowledge. 

To have learned to have grace with myself on tough days.

To be alive, have my health and feel hope again for the future. 

Two beautiful, healthy children who have walked through hell with me and still laugh, hug and love. 

Discovering I can smile with my eyes.

Learning I'm capable of not just surviving, but thriving when I don't place my confidence in my own abilities, but in God. 

For parents, a brother, sister-in-law, nephew and niece who were here from the beginning, to the very end and loved us back to center. 

Friends who I have chosen and have chosen us to be "family" - the kind who can sit with you, say nothing at all, yet they've said everything. 

Work I'm passionate about while surrounded by people and professionals I respect immensely. 

For someone who will show up on a summer Saturday morning to help plant grass on a fresh grave while encouraging me from their own difficult experiences to trust God and that life will go on. 

A comforting home and a haven of a backyard. 

Sunrises and sunsets. 

Silver linings on a cloudy day. 

Music.