Lit From Within

Can you believe Thanksgiving is almost here?! My husband has planted so many trees and shrubs on our property that have been turning color and dropping their leaves. Our last maple is bright orange and our ginko glows yellow. I’m trying to enjoy each last colorful leaf 🍁

Thanksgiving is a favorite of mine. It’s a wonderful time to gather with friends and family and there’s not the pressure of gifts. It’s a time to remember to stop and be grateful for blessings big and small.

I’m a big believer that an attitude of gratitude changes things. It changes perspective and even our expression. We’re drawn to those who remember their blessings. In essence, their thankfulness lights them up from within.

I had a good conversation with an aging friend this week who has moved into an assisted living facility. She’s sad to have left her home. In the midst of being honest about how hard it’s been, she also shared how good the food is, how nice the other residents are, and how she’s glad to not be worrying her kids anymore. I told her, “I want to be like you when I grow up!”

I’ve admired this friend for a long time. She faced loosing her husband suddenly in their 60’s and developed a parochial preschool as part of her masters thesis after all her kids were grown. Once again, as she faces this difficult transition, I was inspired by her ability to be honest yet positive. Even in the hard, her sweetness shines forth.

I’ve been working on a painting of hot air balloons. Last summer I finally made it to a hot air balloon launch before dawn with my adopted sister and niece and nephew. The most beautiful part was the balloons glowing in the dark. My photos led to this painting, Lit From Within.

As I did my best to make the balloons glow, I was intrigued by the juxtaposition of light and dark. For light to really shine, it needs the contrast of the dark… something to ponder.

My life went into a spiral of medical appointments last week as my doctors wanted to be very proactive about some post cancer symptoms I’m having. Thankfully the news was all good!! I’m so grateful for good medical care and the thorough approach of my medical team, but spending each day running to Kaiser for tests and scans was stressful.

In the midst of this, I had the sweetest conversation with a phlebotomist about faith and how she goes with others to pray for cancer patients or visit those in convalescent homes. I was inspired by how she was shining in the midst of doing her job.

We are all in different places in life. Our job is to bloom right where we’re planted. I’ve been sprucing up this winter sunset painting that I did last year. My friend who’s a missionary in Alaska took the reference photo at sunset one winter day at 3:45 pm.

I find the time change affects my mood as it gets dark earlier- like 5-6pm. This is nowhere near 3:45 😳 Here’s another reason to be grateful! I’ve found that if I can name 3 items I’m thankful for that can usually turn it into 10 or more.

I’m also rejoicing that Nov 10 was my three year cancer freeaversary. Like my new word? 😆 My life has been forever changed by cancer but that’s ok. I’m so very grateful to not be sick and to be moving forward in life. I know the possibility of reoccurrence is there but I’m confident that if it happens, God will sustain me to fight again.

Yesterday, we celebrated with a trip to a French flea market and lunch with friends. In the most unlikely of locations, I had an encouraging moment. I was waiting in a small kitchen to use a restroom. One of the cooks asked me how I was in Spanish. In my limited Spanish I answered, “bien, y tú?” He said he was also good & then asked how my day had been. I gave him a big smile and in broken Spanish told him I was celebrating 3 years of being cancer free. His face registered shock & in English he said, “Glory to God!” I responded in Spanish, “Gloria a Dios!” We smiled at each other and gave God glory for my health in the back of that kitchen. What a moment!🙌

What are your reasons to be thankful? Can you think of 3? Can it morph into 10? Maybe catch a sunrise or sunset over the next couple of weeks and take time to marvel at the beauty. It can reset perspective on appreciation of the One who makes the sun rise and set. Give Him all the hard things that don’t make sense and see what He does with them.

May the gratitude that blooms in our hearts shine forth and spread joy to those around us. Happy Thanksgiving 🍂