The brisk fall days culminate in one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving. I have a couple of big talkers in my family, so tomorrow is not only a day off from work, it is a day off from talking. I don’t have to worry about finishing my sentences because I probably won’t get to. And, since I usually schedule my annual silent retreat for the holiday weekend immediately following, the big family gathering serves as a sort of preparatory. How blessed am I? A treat, and then a retreat. I love my family, but sometimes I think I love silence just a little bit more. Time will definitely tell, although I think I already know the answer to this one.
We will gather, as we always do, around our colorful, festive table laden with the little candles and all the good, warm food and wine that makes us sleepy and goofy, in a cozy house filled with familiar voices and lots of laughter. So many blessings. The smell of cold in the children’s hair and leaves stuck to sweaters as they burst in from the yard, framed by the darkening sky. Plunking themselves down in front of huge pieces of pie, laughing the whipped cream into their mouths, laughing and laughing. The sounds and smells of late autumn, warm and cold, bitter and sweet, the kids getting so tall. My Thanksgiving prayer this year is to simply be with my family whom I love, who love to talk. To steep, deep in gratitude in the present moment, content to just let it all roll on, however it will. Much like those layered clouds rolling by way up in the dark, chilly, blessed November sky. God, grant me the grace to see your gifts clearly and dearly before me this Thanksgiving. And to love, as you love.

Jill, what a beautiful and poetic reflection for us, as we move into the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope you have a blessed holiday with your family … and a peaceful retreat with the Lord.
Thank you Sarah, and to you as well and your family ~ Jill
Wonderful. I have also found lately that the big talkers in may ways are the big thinkers. Have a nice Thanksgiving.
Thank you Allison. I enjoy being the listener more and more. I learn so much about love and human nature by taking the back seat, and my pride gets a much needed break too – what a relief for everyone.
Amen, to you all as well. God Bless us all for we have so much to be thankful for.
Amen to that Karen!
Jill,
Thank you for sharing your perspective of thriving in tranquil harmony within the seasons of God’s creation and the joy of using Graces He has given you by offering yourself to others as a welcoming, bottomless cup of hot tea.
Elizabeth
Thank you Elizabeth, you yourself are undoubtedly what you described here. God is the mystery we are most interested in and yet will never solve, isn’t he? Does he ever keep me guessing and awestruck and wobbly in the knees. If we see and seek his will in our lives and then amend and bend ours to his he will surprise us even more, no doubt, with utter beauty. I pray for the grace to bend everyday – and fail at least as often! Thank God for his love mercy, what would we do without it ~