Thanksgivings

To wake the soul by tender strokes of art,
Alexander Pope


What the imagination seizes as beauty must be truth - whether it existed before or not.
John Keats


I am thankful today - and as I go into the holiday season lying immediately before us.

Saved by Grace - praising my Maker as we approach the celebration of MY Saviors birth.

The first stop on this trek is Thanksgiving Day. Then a myriad of celebrations of Christmas. A wedding is planned (my nephew will be getting married on the 6th). Loss of loved ones will leave huge voids in our hearts and minds this first season with out them. We will celebrate and we will remember. There is illness to pray over. There is the Hope of a new tomorrow.

There have been discussions in our family about eliminating the material (gifting) frenzy that Christmas has become. We are foregoing that part and really focusing on family. While I love the glitz and bling that accompanies the season of giving, and there will be gifts, our family focus will be much more celebratory and spiritual this season. I am really good with all that.

I spoke to my MIL - Ann last night. We talked about a lot of things - like what we are going to eat and such - and then started talking about MaggieGraceCreates. She is one of my supporters and I am encouraging her to start a family blog - about the pictures and the stories and the people and the love. I am so hoping she will jump in and do this. We have a copy of the notes she took during Mama Norvans last days and those notes are so special.

Ann - a blog will allow all of us to comment and enjoy the stories - we also can easily print a Blurb Book and have all of it permanently recorded somewhere. Please think about doing this. I want my girls to know and I think the rest of the crew would like it too.

Now for the beginning of my celebrations.

I snapped these early this morning - the light was not great, but it will be dark when I go home.




The deJardine family lives here. They are very creative people, supporters of the art community, an unconventional family of kids and adopted kids. Wonderful people. Some of the kids are friendly with my girls. I love this house - I love old houses. But something special happens in the fall here. All of the leaves are raked into a beautiful display - understated, to me almost elegant in it's presentation. I love to go by there and find that the display has been created.

Can you see the word? This year it is HOPE. I celebrate everytime I go by here - this simple and free display makes me (and I hope many others) smile.

Look for a beautiful season - away from the gloom and doom of the economy.

Remember - there was no room for a poor family expecting a baby they did not plan for - and that night in an unconventional place to unexpected people - that Baby was the biggest gift of forever.

Happy Thanksgiving.