Sunday, November 21, 2010

Notes Of Thanks

A humble time of gratitude, shared blessings and perhaps silent desires for those not here.  It becomes a blend of great joy, and  truth be told, tears of sadness for those I miss.  More so for those still alive that have lost their way - and cannot find their way home - and especially to you my daughter - I leave the candles on in every window and the light of love in my heart to guide your way home.  

I want to thank each and every one of you for your friendship, love, shared wisdom and truth, kindness, inspiration, hope, family events, both great and small, triumphant and tragic, love of nature and the arts, your gifts and talents, dreams and humor, illness and health,  For all your support of me and appreciation for my truth and life I "THANK YOU" all.  

As you know, I write, 'Why I Am Thankful For You Letters' every year for folks who have Thanksgiving dinner here. I have been doing so since 1992. Originally, I would number the reasons I was thankful for whomever.  That only lasted one year since everyone compared notes as to how many 'reasons' were listed on their note.  Too funny, huh??  :-)

Here are this years.  Just three.  It will be simple, lovely, peaceful, delicious, blessed and filled with gratitude.
Thanksgiving 2010

Skipp-
Here we are - another year of glorious love and honor - understanding, kind support, music, so much laughter, embraces, tears of despair, tears of joy, meals shared with criss-crossed place mats, glasses of wine, oh yes the wine, morning coffee, all the Monday night “YAYS” and all those perfect Tuesdays and Wednesdays anticipated and delighted in.

YOU make my life possible - our life possible.  - “thank you”.....

We got our Gracey Blue this year - she is part of our pack now.
 I continue to be in awe of how you never complain.  It seems I need more help at times and you just go with the flow. I know how hard it is for you to deal with your job, but you do so we can have insurance and security. I feel your strength and deep love all the time Skipp - you are a pillar of hope, strength, love and protection.  I am SO lucky to have you as my husband, my partner, my best friend, my lover and dance partner - the one I share everything with, -  it is always and ONLY you.

If ever two people were destined to live life together it is you and me - I love that you call me every day - 20 times a day - when I hear your voice I still get a lovely shiver and when you say “I love you” I still soar so high and when you look at me and I see the love in your eyes,  I melt.  When we had that fall together and I saw the hurt in your eyes my heart broke in a million pieces.  That one ‘flip’ crystallized so much - the powerlessness I know you feel because you cannot take the MS from me and for me too - to have to surrender to that reality with and for you and for me as well.  It rocked our world, huh?    But we  made it through and beyond and are now stronger for having done so.  We are survivors and more.

I love our life together and our peaceful happy home.  I am so grateful that I have you to share in all of my days. I am comforted and content, safe and protected, loved and nurtured, and saved - ALL because of YOU.  “Thank you” and I love you...
Your girl forever,

Gail 



Thanksgiving 2010

Dear Dolan-

I am impressed by your commitment to your writing and getting your stories published.  I am thrilled that you seek my critique and opinions of your stories.  That means so very much to me.

I also am in awe of your ‘high status’ and respect in your teaching community.  You teach workshops and have developed ground breaking techniques for the classroom which have and will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of students and teachers alike for years to come.  At such a young age you have created a legacy.

I love that you call me, a lot.  I feel your care and concern in your words and humor and interest.  I am SO thankful that I matter, that I am worth your while and time and that we have a strong,  respectful and loving relationship. It is in the moments we share that I am most often delighted, uplifted, happy and grateful.  Being present with you in any moment is one of my most precious gifts.

As I look over my life and what matters and to whom I matter - YOU are at the top of the list - in the top five. :-).  You provide a balance of thought and opinion like no one else I know - it is both startling and refreshing.  Your clarity and confidence often amaze me - the intensity of your beliefs have overwhelmed me and your intelligent, honest and well informed opinions often empower me. I will tell you that there are times, when I am faced with dilemmas and like that show, “What Would You Do”, I think, “What Would Dolan Do/Say?”  And I am prompted in the best of ways to deal with the situation.  Cool huh? You are wise beyond your years.

I will end with telling you that I am filled with gratitude to have a son like you.  I adore you and believe in you beyond measure - “Thank you” for all that you share with me AND for all that you illicit from me to share with you.  Our ebb and flow is perfect.

I Love you Dolan

Mom..........





Thanksgiving 2010

Dear Mom-



This year certainly has had it’s share of life’s challenges, I am in awe of how brave and strong you are as you faced each one.  Your faith continues to inspire me and give me hope as you turned to your God in moments of total despair and in moments of pure joy.  As you surrendered to harsh realities you found beauty and understanding and gratitude to balance your world.  So often your faith was tested and each and every time, your faith won.

I was privileged to watch you literally come back to life - with laughter and song and appetite and mobility and self care and hopes and dreams - they all re-surfaced like gifts waiting to be opened and appreciated.  You unwrapped each one and began to live fully again.  Oh Mom - like the moth to the butterfly you have emerged - more beautiful than ever - and that sparkle of blue still shining in your eyes.  I truly have witnessed and lived this life-giving miracle that together,  you and God created.  Hallelujah!

I am forever grateful for your seasoned wisdom, unyielding faith, empowering love, and gentle humor.  I love how you love me.  I love and enjoy our daily talks and that somehow, being so close  to you, completes me.  I am forever thankful that you are MY Mom - and that our lives are so lovingly blended in the very best of ways.

I love you Mom, forever, and “thank you”

Love,

Gimpy-Gays


I was moved to laughter and tears writing these three letters this year.  Each one so purposeful and true.  I hope all of you have family and friends that you could write about.  And please remember to send prayers that my oldest daughter finds her way home.  Thanks.

Love to you all and "Happy Thanksgiving"






 

34 comments:

Anne said...

Gail,
You wrote such beautiful letters to friends and family. They are lucky and blessed to have you, too.
Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your day.
Take care. Smiles to you.

Gail said...

HI ANNE-

SO god to see you. I love your poetry so much. "When you wish upon a star.........." :-)

Love Gail
peace.....

PENolan said...

Girl, you're moving me to laughter and tears. Have a happy . . .

Cindy said...

Gail, I have been reading this with tears pouring down my face. I think these are beautiful letters. I often wish I would have said certain things to my Dad,....I will pray for your daughter to find her way home. hugs and love.

Gail said...

HI CINNER-

I was crying when I wrote them. phew. So sorry you ave some regrets about what you didn't say to you Dad - :-( And I so appreciate your prayers for my daughter. She is so lost.

Love you girl "hey"
Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

HI TRISH-

Ya, laughter and tears, me too. "Happy Thanksgiving Texas"

Love to you always
Gail
peace.....

SE'LAH... said...

i really enjoy your poetry, Gail. And the letters are so heart warming.

sending you lots of positive vibes as we give thanks each day.

one love.

Gail said...

HI Se'Lah-

so good to see you here. I am glad you enjoyed my letters.

Love to you always
Gail
peace.....

Eileen said...

Here's hoping the third time is the charm, I was here earlier in the day and tried to leave a comment but when I hit the 'post comment' I just got a blank page.
And now I just left a long comment, but only got the blank page when I hit 'publish comment'. Oh well.

One more try (and if I'm repeating just delete one of my comments!):

For sure I will keep your daughter and your sad situation in my prayers, that is our 'heartbreak of motherhood' bond that we share. A grief too hard for the heart to bear most times, and impossible to shut away. An ache that can never be tucked away and put to bed, for you eat, sleep, and breathe it every moment.

I loved your letters, Gail, and I can read that the love put into them can only come from having been so Blessed with love. I'm happy for you, Gail, that you have been so Blessed.

And, so goes life, I guess, so much heartache mingled with so much joy, and all tied together with the bonds of love.

Love and Prayers,
Eileen

Diana said...

Hi Gail,
You know that I will pray that your daughter finds her way home. You have so much love to be grateful Gail. All I can say is that I am grateful that we have become friends! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Love Di ♥

Bernie said...

Oh sweetie, these are such beautiful and heartfelt letters. What a loving heart you have and those in your life are so blessed to have you. I will pray for your daughter to find her way again and I will pray for you that your MS goes into a remission. Happy Thanksgiving!...:-)Hugs

Jackie said...

Gail....you are so full of love...and it's no wonder that you are loved as well. Your letters are heartwarming....very very touching, Gail....and I thank you for sharing them with us (me)....
Blessings and love to you, my friend....
Jackie

Tramp said...

Gail
How beautiful. Thank you for your insight into what Thanksgiving means to you. Only this week by reading the posts from Griz and you have I really understood what Thanksgiving is all about on a personal level. With your permission I will borrow this idea for those who I will share our simple Christmas meal here, probably my wife, son and brother. We usually say something about the year that has gone by but to write it down personally for each person would make it more permanent and meaningful. Being meaningful is so important in festivals like this when they can so easily be lost in commercialisation.
Have a beautiful, meaningful Thanksgiving.
...Tramp

Gail said...

EILEEN_

Thank you so much for your kindness and understanding and sharing of your personal knowiong of such heartache as when a child is "lost". phew (wiping my brow).
And yes, intertwined with this heartache is so much t be thankful for, so many blessings. so much love given and received. And so it goes....... I so appreciate you and your wisdom and friendship -
Love to you this Thanksgiving and always..
Gail
pece.....

Gail said...

DIANA-

"Thankyou" so much for your prayers for mydaughte's finding her way home. It is such a heartache. And still, I know how blessed I am for all the love and family so close - and I am truly grateful for you and our friendship. You are such an inspiration to me to forge on despite physical challenges.
Happy Thanksgiving my friend...
Love Gail
peace......

Scott said...

Gail, I think about making a list of my blessing each year at Thanksgiving but never get around to it. Maybe you'll be my inspiration this year. All my best to you for a fine holiday.

Gail said...

BERNIE-
I so appreciate your prayers for my daughter finding her way home. ANd for my MS to be in remission - I am managing okay these dayus despite the symptoms - so in essence - I am in remission since there is no flare up. Praise the Lord.
I am so thankful for you Bernie - you are so strong and so kind and so lovely in all that you do - it is an honor to call you 'friend'.
Love Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

JACKIE_

I a so glad you enjoyed the letters. I have ben writing them for almost 20 years. They bring such meaning to our gatherings :-) "Happy Thanksgiving" to you and yours and a special kiss to your Mama and Daddy - gosh I love them so....

Love Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

TRAMP-

I am honored that you want to write letters to your family for your Christmas gathering. These writings, as you so lovingly wrote, are so meaningful and they capture the essence of what is good and blessed and loving in our lives. Thanks for taking this time-honored tradition all the way to Prague! :-)

Love to you
Gail'
peace.....

Gail said...

SCOTT
so gld to beof "inspirational service" :-) you will be really glad if you write things - it makes it all so tangible. "Happy Thanksgiving" to you and yours
Love Gail
peace.....

Wanda..... said...

Hope your daughter finds her way home, Gail, I'm sure it will happen when she is ready to make peace with herself...she must be hurting as well. Your love runs deep, it is so evident in your letters. Your strong sense of self is inspiring. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and Contentment for Now!

Gail said...

HI WANDA=
Thanks you so much for your kind support about my daughter - I pray she 'sees' the light and follows the love back home. I am glad you liked the letters. 'Happy Thanksgiving" to youmy friend and to your family.
Love Gail
peace.....

cordieb said...

What loving, gracious letters of gratitude you have written. They are so blessed to have you and you to have them. I was especially delighted to read of your mother's recovery. Miracles unfolding, indeed. I am sending a special prayer that your daughter finds her way home; I know the agony a mother feels when one of her children are "lost." I pray for her safety, health and strenth and wisdome while she finds her way. I pray for your peace, knowing, trust and faith until she comes back home to you.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Peace, Light and Love, C.

Gail said...

CORDIEB

I am so happy to see you - I have missed you. I appreciate your prayers for my daughters safe journey 'home. ANd yes, my Mom is stable and she is SO excited about Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Miracles do happen.
Love to you always
Gail
peace.....

Unknown said...

And for you also, Gail, have a blessed thanksgiving!
(tho i think you have already!)

Gail said...

HI JOEY

thanks for stopping by :-) "Happy Thanksgiving" my friend...
love you man
Gail
peace.....

Unknown said...

Lovely words, your letters truly touched my soul.

:)
Kim

Gail said...

KIM-

thank you so much for your kind words. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Love Gail
peace.....

Sahildeki Ev said...

Happy holidays Gail...
I love your letters, it was such a joy and thought about the counterparts in my life.. Thank you..

Eileen said...

'Just stopping by quick to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Keep Faith! Stay Strong! Stay Loving! Stay Golden!
Love and Prayers,
Eileen

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

Indeed a Celebration of Gratitude going on here! Thank you my loved friend for all the light, love and care you bring to so many in such grace filled ways. Yes, my prayers and blessings are with your daughter. May she too, find the light that shall guide her home.

Much love to you and your family.

With devotion,
Rose Marie

Gail said...

ROSEMARIE-

So lovely to see you, feel you, here. :-) It was a blessed day - with an added delight. My son brought a surprise guest - his lovely girlfriend, from Italy - in the states only 8 years and still of that romantic, loving, Italian style that filled our home with more love. Her presence was healing in so many ways. And how was your day my friend?

And my eldest daughter, caught in her own trap of deception unable to feel us - yes, pray for her, please. Amen.

Love to you
Gail
peace......

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

Dear Gail,

My name is Grace. I am in 2nd grade. I am in level K in reading. This is a 3rd grade level. Thank you for liking my poem and leaves. I picked the leaves by myself. I liked how they looked. The colors are beautiful. I like to write poems. It is fun to write poems with Rose Marie.

Have a nice day.

From Grace Boyle.

Gail said...

DEAR GRACE

How very sweet of you to stop by. :-) I really loved your leaves and poem. And I think it is so wonderful that you share your gifts and talents with RoseMarie. Amd I am so very impressed by how well you write. You are amazing. Keep on explorig your gifts and talents and enjoy every moment .

Love to you
Gail
peace.....