Posts Tagged ‘Individuals’

Dec. 31 The Year of Living Thankfully

Saturday, December 31st, 2011

(photo by Amy)

I’m thankful for the moments that have brought me to this moment.

Thankful for being raised by my parents, loved by my grandparents, befriended by my friends, taught by my teachers. Thankful for Latin homework and choir practice and going to skating-rink birthday parties and playing on the tennis team. For vibrant, giggly college dorm life and a lonely grad school apartment. For moving trucks and paychecks and bosses and co-workers and battles and working with ideas. For fresh starts and faithful churches and bumbling breakups. For tension and tears and prayers and acceptance and commitment and the settling of married life.

For a job that led me to a friend. For seeing that friend’s listing of things she was thankful for. For the prompting to try it myself and the glimpse of joy that propelled me to commit to 365 days. For the money to buy a domain name. For my husband’s help in booting up this blog. For God’s whisperings and opening my eyes to all of these posts and more.

For the changes this exercise has caused in my outlook and the days when others have voiced their thankfulness. For the friends and family members I’ve written about and those I haven’t. For the challenge of trying not to repeat a post, and looking that much harder for something new each day.

For the winter day on which I write this final post in the Year of Yay. And for the year of opportunities to come.

May every year be lived thankfully.

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Posted in Encouragement, Thought | 1 Comment »

Dec. 26 Video Cameras

Monday, December 26th, 2011

I took a video of my grandfather today. I asked him to tell the story of how he met my grandmother. I’m happy I could capture something so sweet and will be able to watch it for years to come.

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Dec. 25 Christ Was Born

Sunday, December 25th, 2011

“The stable stinks like all stables do. The stench of urine, dung, and sheep reeks pungently in the air. The ground is hard, the hay scarce. Cobwebs cling to the ceiling and a mouse scurries across the dirt floor. A more lowly place of birth could not exist.”

“He looks like anything but a king. His face is prunish and red. His cry, though strong and healthy, is still the helpless and piercing cry of a baby. And he is absolutely dependent upon Mary for his well-being.”

“The omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable. He who had been spirit became pierceable.”

“How absurd to think that such nobility would go to such poverty to share such a treasure with such thankless souls. But he did. In fact, the only thing more absurd than the gift is our stubborn unwillingness to receive it.”

– excerpts from “God Came Near” by Max Lucado

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Dec. 22 The People of Christmas

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

The angel visits Mary

As I found at Easter, reflecting on the people who were there in the flesh can really make these holy days come alive.

Obviously, Mary is a big one at Christmas. But before Jesus was even conceived, she showed tremendous faith and acceptance of God’s plan. When an angel told her how she was going to fit into this miracle, “Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’” (Luke 1:38)

She didn’t take the time to make a pro/con list. She said, “Ok.”

Here are some more good meditations on Mary, Elizabeth (John the Baptist’s mother) and others, and the wise men.

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Dec. 19 My Friend DD

Monday, December 19th, 2011

I’ve written this year about some of my adventures with my friend DD. She and I have a lot in common. Though we didn’t meet until college, we grew up about two hours from each other in Georgia, both only children. I admire her determination and strength and I love her sense of humor (I’ve been encouraging her to start her own blog!). Whenever we talk, it’s just picking up right where we left off. I’m so thankful we’ve stayed friends through the years and degrees and moves and careers and guys.

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Posted in Friends | 1 Comment »

Dec. 10 Welcoming

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

Last night was the Christmas – er, “holiday” – ;) party for my husband’s office. The boss and his wife host it, and I am not exaggerating when I say they are some of the most gracious hosts I have seen. They do a tremendous job of making the spouses and significant others feel welcome at these events. Which, when you consider the potential awkwardness of making conversation with people you see only once a year, is saying a lot. I want to host like them when I grow up.

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Dec. 3 The Occasional Silly Adventure

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

A phone-camera shot from the crowd at the Switchfoot concert in Charlottesville, VA (photo by Amy)

I proved to myself yesterday that I’m not too old to take a 3-hour (one-way) Friday night road trip to see my favorite band and get home at 2 a.m. Not exactly something I can do every weekend. ;) I’m thankful my intrepid friend EG was up for being my partner in crime on this one.

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Nov. 30 My Daddy

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Today is my Daddy’s birthday. I have to thank him for being okay with the fact that I was born the day before his birthday, thereby overshadowing his birthday forever. ;)

I am thankful for all the ways he has taught me, challenged me, and loved my mother and me. For all those op-eds he read to me as I grew up, blinking sleepily across the breakfast table (I know, that explains a lot, doesn’t it?). He is a big dreamer, a plot-hatcher, a wild innovator. Happy birthday, Daddy!

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Nov. 26 Auntiehood

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

I am totally cheating and being thankful again for my nephews (ages 9 and 1). I am so blessed to have married into a family with lots of siblings so that I can be an aunt! It’s a very cool relationship.

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Nov. 20 Literacy

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Facebook friends’ Month of Thanksgiving entries. I’m stealing this from one of them because it’s such a great one. I am so thankful to be able to read! (A special shout-out to my mom for reading to me as a wee one. :) )

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