This will be the first Christmas without my parents, Dad having moved on to his next adventure in September. I am grateful that both Mom and Dad are finally at peace and together again. My daughter Jaclyn grappled with and overcame a severe bout with bipolar 2 this year, but is now facing a new battle with upcoming surgery. I am so grateful that she survived that summer ordeal, and I am also grateful for all the prayers flowing over us as we await the next battle. I am so proud of her for overcoming the odds and maintaining a sense of humour even as she prepares for the worst yet.
My daughter Jamie and her husband Jason and son Noah are excitedly anticipating the arrival of a new baby in early March. Jamie wasn't lucky to have escaped the gestational diabetes - again - but I am grateful that, other than that, she is healthy and has been able to gain a minimum of weight. I'm also grateful that Jason was able to return to work after a death-defying accident in 2006 and that Noah is growing in leaps and bounds and is such a happy little boy.
This year of blogging has added many more virtual friends to my life. For that I am grateful. I find it exciting to be communicating with people in Australia, Italy, Wales, England, Malaysia, and the Caribbean along with the USA from Oregon to the mid-west, Maryland, and Florida. I'm grateful for all the friends I have in my life, I'm grateful for my church family, I'm grateful for my health (albeit the bad back), and I'm grateful that I have a nice home and enough money to allow me all my needs and some of my wants.
Even with the trials and tribulations that we face in our lives, there is much to be thankful for. So I hope you all have the best Christmas ever and can be as thankful as I am for the blessings that have been given to you. Remember the true reason for the season - the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Merry Christmas everyone!
9 comments:
What a year you have had. My heart goes out to you and your family.
May you have peace this christmas (H)
Leslie, I know that Christmas can be a painfully lonely time for some people, I am sorry to hear of your losses and difficulties. Having a new grandchild to look forward is something very special.
I send you very best wishes for the festive season, with good health and peace.
I hope you have a peaceful Christmas with your family.
What a year. May 2008 be much better and find your family in good health and a new baby. Gods blessings.
Lovely post Leslie, despite your worries.
I do hope all goes well for Jaclyn in the New Year and that you can find some joy in celebrating this season together.
I wish you all a Happy and Holy Christmas.
A thankful heart . . . I think it draws love and blessings toward it. I pray that this will be true for you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, peace & continued blessings to you and your family Leslie.
Ho! Ho!! Ho!!! SantaCat wishes you all a purrrfect Christmas.
Next year, please leave catnip with the milk and cookies. :-)
Noah is getting so big, he is becoming a young man so soon.
You have had a very difficult year and I admire the courage with which you have been, and are, facing it all, Leslie. I am so glad that there are positive things, such as the new grandchild on the way, as well. Your "blogging family" will be here for you throughout 2008 and here's wishing you all a better year. Love and augri from Sicily xxx
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