Pumpkin Pie, Tolkien, and Family: A Happy Thanksgiving List

Thanksgiving approaches! I find many, many things to thank God for despite the virus raging stronger than ever up here in the Midwest. As I write, the late golden sunlight reflects off the still water of the river that flows by my parent’s condo. The grass still retains some shades of summer green, even though much of the world around it looks bare and brown. I went on a long walk today with my mom, and afterwards Brian and the kids and I played in the sandy park across the street. Life remains unchanged…sometimes, until we go to the grocery store down the street and don our masks and sanitize our hands before, during, and after we enter the building. What a strange year!

Here’s a holiday list of people, places, and things for which I thank God. They are in no special order; I’m going to write them and describe them as I think of them. I hope you can find many, many things to thank God for, too!

My parents live in a multi-level, spacious condo that overlooks a large, very pretty river. We frequently see bald eagles and red-tailed hawks soaring overhead. Sometimes they land in the trees right outside the border of my parent’s yard, making the branches shake and the smaller birds fly for cover. My mom’s interior decorating skills could compete with some of the most well-known decorators of our generation. My parent’s home always twinkles and sparkles with warmth and welcomes you to come inside. The kids have their own room (with bunk beds) and Brian and I have our own room. I thank God for such a beautiful place to live for a couple months, and then, once we move into our new house, to visit more often than we could before.

I love my little immediate family of four. We may be small, but we are united. I also add a fifth person to my little family: my sister, Kelsey. I feel like I can do anything with these four wonderful souls to guide me and support me. They make the world a brighter place: Ruthie with her abundant joy, Samuel with his serious and thoughtful brow, Brian with his gentle care, and Kelsey with her helpful and compassionate heart. I dearly love them all.

Another family of five holds a special place in my thoughts and in my life. (I described their home as one of the places my heart lives here, along with a few other places special to me.) They may not all be flesh-and-bone family, but they are all spiritual family. Their home is a safe retreat for me in times of trials and times of peace. I feel cozy, comfortable, and loved every time I settle down into one of their big, soft couches or take out my ukulele to sing with the girls. We talk about fun things: the latest episodes of The Mandalorian, home remodels, and what kind of coffee tastes the best. And we talk about serious things: sin, relationships, and what God has taught us through our fiery trials and fierce temptations. I always leave their home feeling loved and encouraged, and ready to continue the fight in whatever battle might pitch in the coming weeks.

I just finished reading The Fellowship of the Ring for the third or fourth time–I can’t exactly remember! I thank God for giving J.R.R. Tolkien the skills to create such a memorable and vivid world. The Fellowship of the Ring holds my complete attention from beginning to end, and even more so as I get older. I can picture all the different places the fellowship travels to during the first part of their quest. I think Lothlorien is my favorite because it is both mysterious and beautiful. Flets dot the canopy of mallorn trees that grow tall and strong. Numerous lanterns light up their branches at night like twinkling stars. Wise Galadriel lives among their boughs and helps prepare the party for their coming journey through the darkness. I would like to visit Lothlorien, if I could. I think the cabin is the closest I can get here on earth!

I love the sunshine we get here in the Midwest this time of year. It shines low to the horizon even at mid-day, but it looks so bright and cheerful after all the cloudy days we have in early autumn. I try to get some direct sunlight and fresh air every day. The air feels cool and refreshing after being inside, where it can sometimes feel a little stuffy–especially with six of us. The kids like to run in the grass like cute little woodland animals. Ruthie squeals with delight every time she sees a squirrel, and Samuel likes to stop under trees to ponder how he might climb them. I just like to walk around and take deep breaths, and jog if Samuel requests that I play tag with him. He usually gets me right away–I’m a little slow, unless I really want to prove a point.

Finally, here’s a random list of other things I thank God for, in short phrases this time: my spruce-top ukulele, Legos, Calico Critters, The Great British Baking Show, Aldi, the Jen Wilkin 1 Peter Bible study, pine trees, The Velveteen Rabbit, music about eternity, my mom’s indoor hibiscus plant (which blooms year round), old hymns, Psalms put to music, and pumpkin pie.

I hope that you feel God’s mercy, grace, and love for you this Thanksgiving wherever you are, whatever you are doing, and whoever you are able to see this holiday week. May God give us thankful hearts at this time of year, and always!

Photo: Aaron Burden on Unsplash