Thankfulness

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
[Psalm 100:4-5]

No matter our prosperity, or perceived lack thereof, I am sure we can enumerate thankfulness to fill a calendar year. One of the bloggers I follow is listing an item a day of thankfulness. [See Holding Patterns by Sandi].

In a year of less than desirable economic prosperity, 10% unemployment, personal and family bankruptcies, homelessness and all the accompanying trials and difficulties, I believe we still can find thankfulness, so I am going to try to catch up with Sandi with 16 today, and then try to post 1-2 each post weekly until I have 30, hopefully on Nov. 30.

Thankful list:

1. Parents, now deceased, who adopted me and taught and guided me into adulthood with decent moral values, and invaluable education.

2. A husband who puts up with me.

3. Numerous pets who have brought joy into my life.

4. Many friends, wherever we have lived.

5. The privilege of living in a third world country which taught me respect for other cultures.

6.Having a younger brother and sister helped understand value of a family unit.

7. Finding my biological family at a relatively late age is a major marker in my life, plus two more brothers and another sister.

8. Having survived several major medical crises in my life helps me understand the stress such events have on the patient and family.

9. Having the privilege and confidence of local voters to serve my city on city council for 3 terms.

10. The ability throughout life to learn and develop additional skills of interest, whether computers, photography, arts and crafts.

11. The Internet as a tool of learning, research, virtual friendships, communication.

12. To have witnessed a man walk on the moon via television and to remember the introduction of the first b/w television into general markets.

13. To have witnessed my Mother's gifts of one of the first automatic dishwashers, an electric sewing machine, a Bendix washing machine & dryer, electric typewriter.

14. To have witnessed the introduction of computers.

15. To have witnessed our nation undergo two attacks on our homeland (Pearl Harbor and 9/11) and emerge with resolve to remain an united Nation.

6. To remember how our Nation united and backed our President and others resolve during WWII even while still suffering the remnants a Great Depression.

Comments on#16:

I remember sitting by the console Philco radio listening to President Roosevelt's speech after the attack on Pearl Harbor. I did not understand it all, except through my parents I knew it was serious.

I remember Victory gardens and war bonds; we had several of each.

I remember rationing of sugar, tires, and other commodities. Dad became so proficient at patching intertube tires, we grew to expect at least on flat on almost any trip. The longest trip was 120 mi (round trip) to grandparents and great aunts in same town. These trips were infrequent, usually very special occasions.

We had practice blackouts and curfews; there was an Army camp outside our town. I remember driving home from church one night with only parking lights on. When we arrived home we either went to bed or listened to radio in the dark.

Yet through it all I observed more community and national support in so many ways that I do not see today. Women went to work. to help sustain the family. Women and those who were not drafted, or did not volunteer made bandages, knited sweaters, scarves or sock, packed care packages and worked with the USO.

Today I see very limited exhibition of patriotism. It seems patriotism might offend someone. Too bad! At this house we have worn out more flags than I can count. Further, my military retiree husband insists the old ones be properly disposed. Sometimes he does the job or we give the tattered flags to the VFW.

PHOTOS: My sister's driveway entrance in Texas.