The Day Has Ended But the Memory Lingers On

Thanksgiving Day reminds me of that old hymn, “Count Your Blessings”, by Johnson Oatman, Jr. When we are discouraged or sad or think there is no hope, the song tells us to stop worrying and start counting all the blessings the Lord has given us– a good idea. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start counting. I wish I knew more about Mr. Oatman, the writer of the song. All I know is he was born in New Jersey but died in my home state of Oklahoma. In fact, I would count him among my blessings because his song has reminded me throughout the years that even in the times I get most discouraged, all is not lost. And, as the song says, I start to count and am surprised at what the Lord has done.

Yesterday with all my immediate family here except for my precious sister Helen who is in Texas, my house over-flowed with blessings. Good food mixed with companionship and lively conversation made for a happy Thanksgiving Day for everyone except, of course, the turkey. Three of Mom and Dad’s children, two daughters-in-law, a grandson and granddaughter-in-law and two great-grandchildren sat down at their old cherry-wood table. Although our parents weren’t with us, they were part of the conversation. “Remember when Dad said…” someone asked. And “Mom always …” another person reminisced and we counted our blessings at just being together.

The picture for this blog is the one my brother Tracy sent from Minnesota of some wild turkeys who wandered across his yard. Of course, that put me in the mood to write a children’s story about turkeys. And, my meandering mind went from that thought to thinking of the story I wrote for Sara many years ago called, “Why The Squirrel Has a Bushy Tail.” Since it is another one of those stories which has never seen the light of day, perhaps I should bring it to light on my website. Do you think? Another blessing: that God gave me the gift of loving to write.

A happy day after Thanksgiving to each of you and may your blessings and dependence upon God continue throughout the year.

Wild Turkeys
by Tracy Day