Friday Five - Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving this year will be different. My dad died last week. Not that we've always had Thanksgiving together - far from it. But I always knew that somewhere, Dad was eating turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie - no giblets, that would be gross. So I'm taking seriously this year the biblical admonition to give thanks in all things, even in the death of a much loved and loving parent. What am I thankful for this year? Here goes -

1. I'm thankful for my dad, for all the years of his life, for his love, for his care, for his bad jokes, for his sweaters worn for way too many years, for his daily 7am phone calls, for his self-appointed family position as first responder.

2. I'm thankful for the gift of life, made more precious by the presence of death.

3. I'm thankful for the gift of my family - even when they drive me nuts.

4. I'm thankful for the gift of my family of faith - even when they drive me nuts.

5. I'm thankful for the gift of faith. I'm thankful that even such faith as mine, too often the size of mustard seed - was enough that I could stand at my father's casket and say with truth - I believe.