Thankful, Thoughtful, Grateful (Hallelujah, anyhow)

This Thanksgiving marks a time my family hasn't seen before. This year, in the span of nine months, three family members passed away - my father, my uncle (my mother's older brother), and that same uncle's son, my cousin. The loss has moved and stirred each of us - and we feel shaken, sometimes to the point that our very knees buckle. But we have not fallen. We are still standing.

This morning, after putting the finishing touches on the meal we will have later today, I came upstairs to reflect on all the friends and loved ones who have passed on and perhaps write, alone. My husband, whose dear cousin passed 13 days ago and was buried this past Monday, joined me a few minutes later and blessed me with these words:

"Yes, this is a tough Thanksgiving. Our loved ones have gone. But I came up here to tell you that I am thankful. We still have so much to be thankful for. And we should thank the Lord for His blessings."

Then he took my hands in his, and prayed a prayer of gratitude and thankfulness for mercy and forgiveness, for the protection and favor God has granted our children, and for continued strength to "reflect Your love to everyone in our path for as long as You see fit, Lord."

In Jesus' name, Amen.