Giving Thanks for All

     As a hope-filled “look out world, here I come” twenty-something year old, I began my Thanksgiving tradition.   Determined to share real Holyday meaning, before commercialism could penetrate the season, an inspiring message and symbolic ornament became my Thanksgiving gift to those who touched my life with love, encouragement, wisdom and challenge.   Throughout the almost half century of my tradition, I have realized the most priceless gift is not what I offer but what each and every heart and soul on my Thanksgiving List has given me.

     This Thanksgiving morn, I start a new journey; but I step out not alone.   Actually, I open this door accompanied by great testimony and tribute to those on my Thanksgiving List.   I feel so selfish to solely keep holding onto all the inspiration, guidance and loving loyalty they are to me when the whole wide world desperately needs the “soul treasures” their beings personify.

     Thus, my blog, Uplifted in a Broken Down World, is born to introduce any, and all, who need hope to where it can be found.  For you see, I do believe the lessons of caring hearts and upright character overflowing from my Thanksgiving List have the power needed to change our wayward world’s course, pass through the storms and drop anchor in a hope-filled port.

     Not the momentary famous or infamous will be highlighted in my scrapbook blog.   On the contrary, the pages will spotlight the lasting power and inspiration the down to earth stars on my Thanksgiving List have enabled me to see and believe — or on occasion, to believe and then see.

     To each and every name on my Thanksgiving List, feel my gratitude and love.   So many of you, I no longer see in person; but your place is engraved forever in my heart.   I have not, nor will I ever, forget all you planted in my life and cared enough to help keep alive when hard challenges were fought.   My prayer today, and always, is that you, each and every one, believe in your God-created self and your God given goodness, strength and purpose as deeply as you helped instill mine in me.

     And to any newcomer who wishes to join my blog, Welcome!!!   Please know I do not claim the role of leader.   This is a side by side stroll down an uncharted path whose route is not a temporary stop over but the enduring destination of being Uplifted in a Broken Down World.  

     God bless, guard and guide us all…