Thanksgiving

God’s World

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

O WORLD, I cannot hold thee close enough!
Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!
Thy mists that roll and rise!

Did you ever feel like that–just an overflowing joy and gladness in the world as God made it? And the people God put into the world, the family and friends to love and gather around.

I suppose we only all get together at special times now because there are distances that separate, jobs and other responsibilities that interfere, but how nice it would be to live closer to all those we love and have them pop in for a cup of coffee or drop in at their houses for a chat much more often than once or twice a year.

In Georgia, from whence my mother’s ancestors hail, it was like that at one time. Along the Etowah River, the Willis family lived. I’ve often thought about that. In their separate houses and farms, but not far away from each other. That must have been wonderful. And then, for one reason or other, they scattered, some to Indian Territory, some to other parts of the globe. Later at Etta Bend where Ben and Tep Willis settled, that branch of the family still lived close. Ben and Tep, Ma and Pappy (Levi and Edna Latty), Uncle George and Aunt Etta Forrest–they all lived within walking distance. However, there is a tie, distant though it may be, that binds us in our hearts to each other, those ancestors and their descendants.

Today, those of Mom and Dad’s children who are able to get here, will come to my house; Tracy with my nephew Steven; Richard and Linda. Also Dawn’s parents Louie and Angie, as well as my own Matt, Dawn, Sara and Nathan. I am thankful for each one, for each precious, irreplaceable one, and I’m also thankful for the ones who can’t be here but certainly would if they were able.

When I start to say Thanks to God, I don’t know where to begin because He is so good to me. I’m thankful that He chose to save me; My heart overflows with gratitude for my family and those dear, dear friends, old friends and new. I’m thankful for this wonderful America and those Founding Fathers and others, wise beyond their years. I’m thankful for the smaller blessings, the trip to Ireland, the success of my books.

And I’m thankful for you, my readers and those friends I’ve never met. May your Thanksgiving be blessed with warmth, love, and laughter.

“O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea; Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power; Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people” (Psalm 65:5-7).