November 25, 2010

a day of gratitude....

my broccoli dish is baking. the corn bread is next. i know my mom doesn't have an empty spot on any counter in her kitchen and that my dad has already made a trip to the grocery store for something forgotten. my sister probably woke up early like i did and turned her oven on, too
but
all that really matters is that we'll all be together
~
again this year i'm thankful for so much and to list it all seems an impossible task
~
i was at a local food pantry twice this week signing families up for our help portrait day. to see families so excited about having their photos taken at no cost to them, warmed my heart in more ways then i can ever explain.
~
on the help board at the pantry there was a sign asking for tarps, blankets and sleeping bags with a note saying "we're sleeping in a tent....brrrr" and i teared up. so this year i have to say that sitting here now in my warm house after having slept in my warm bed, knowing later that i'll be taking a hot shower and putting on warm clothes and furry lined boots is an amazing gift
and
something i don't ever want to take for granted.
~
happy thanksgiving to all of you who come here to my little place in the world and fill me with love and laughter and hope. may your thanksgiving with loved ones be more special than you ever imagined it could be.
*

33 comments:

  1. I love that you share your passion for photography with families who otherwise would not have a family portrait. I'm sure they treasure that gift more than anything else they own.

    We really are so blessed, and you are a blessing to those around you. Enjoy your day with family!

    Roban

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  2. Thank you, beth. You've blessed my life, and I am very grateful for you. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  3. Beautiful post Beth....we do have so much to be thankful for. Have a happy day!

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  4. It's Thanksgiving day and we are all piled up watching the parade. So, I have the perfect time to drop by and visit friends. I wanted to tell you that one the things I am thankful for today is blogging and the way it has made my world so much bigger. Thank you for the friendship, the wisdom, and the inspiration I have found here. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Beth. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  5. (((Beth)))....wrapping you up in one big huge ginormous hug from me...love ya! Deb

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  6. Happy Thanksgiving, Beth!

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  7. Beautifully expressed, Beth. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  8. Blessed Thanksgiving! May you be filled with the warmth of Jesus this season!

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  9. Lovely post! A beautiful Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones.

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  10. Happy Thanksgiving, it's good to remember that we all have so much to be thankful for.

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  11. Happy Thanksgiving! I love your heart for those that need help. Blessings on you and family. It was wonderful to meet you this year, I am thankful for that. I am also thankful my husband is in the kitchen putting the turkey and dressing (which I might say looks delicious) in the oven.

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  12. What a humbling reminder...why do I ever ever complain?? Jesus help me. Have a beautiful thanksgiving ;)

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  13. I am home from my mom's - not really home, here at work with Lilycat - and it is cold outside and this post really touched me. We forget how much pictures mean, those of us who have such easy access - here at work, we sometimes receive requests for reprints of children, lost in accidents or to illness, and it always kills me, kills me, that the pictures are what they want, that the pictures hold the power to rekindle memories.

    Happy happy Thanksgiving!
    xoxo
    Debi

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  14. I am thankful always after reading your beautiful words, and I hope your holiday was wonderful, Mary Lou

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  15. to you, too, Beth ... to you, too ...

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  16. What an awesome idea to take their photographs! It brings tears to my eye's when I think of people out sleeping in the cold or not having a soft warm place to lay their heads. It makes me very grateful to have all that I have. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebrating all that you are grateful for.

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  17. You are so right - being together is what really matters. I hope you've had a blessed thanksgiving! My step-sister is a photographer and took family portraits at a charity event recently - she said it was an incredible experience.

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  18. It's those small things we take for granted, that without would make living unbearable. I am thankful, too.
    And I love that photo idea.

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  19. I remember this photo idea you did last year, I think it is wonderful. being together will be wonderful. I am truly blessed to have this wonderful, loving, caring and kind woman in my life Beth, I am grateful for that. hugs.

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  20. being thankful is probably the best gift we can give ourselves, especially for those things that we always take for granted. mine are warm showers, water flowing from pipes, flushing toilets... ok, re-phrase: mine are plumbing, trees, books and being able to be with my family most of the time.

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  21. What a wonderful project.I can't wait to hear more about it. Belated Happy Thanksgiving to you :)

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  22. Yes. what you said. I am so grateful for so many things. You and your big kind heart are one of them.

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  23. i hope you all had a beautiful day!! xo

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  24. I hope your day was filled with love and laughter, Beth! And, that your belly was full of some seriously deeeleeshous goodies!

    Our cups truly runneth over, no?

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  25. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of love and laughter and lots of photos.

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  26. I hope your Thanksgiving was SUPER GREAT.

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  27. what a lovely idea. where do you have them sign up for the photo shoot? im new to your blog but am enjoying it.

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  28. Catching up and looking at the gorgeous photos of the end of fall, ducks, your niece and must visit that Special needs blog.

    But as I start to get my act in gear again and visit blogs more regularly, I had to stop and comment at this evocative post that takes me there (glad you got the broccoli!) and wraps me with love. Your space provides such a haven for me on days when things are stress ful and difficult. I'm grateful for that, and for the whimsy and frank honesty you share. Happy belated Thanksgiving.

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  29. happy thanksgiving ...a few days late.... hope your day was perfect...

    i'd love to know more about help portrait day....

    and the family sleeping in a tent is making my cry..... we are so blessed... :(

    xxo, kim

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  30. I've just had a quick tour around your blogs, and I love them. Thanks for stopping by gardenpath. Hope to see you there again.

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  31. beth . i am late with my wishes to you .. you are a blessing in my life ..one that i am truly thankful for

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  32. hoping your thanksgiving was a beautiful one.
    xo

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  33. A tent....oh my gosh, we have it so good, don't we?

    I hope your thanksgiving was full of love and all things good, my friend.

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**I love reading the comments you leave, as they make me feel like we're sitting in my kitchen, having a cup of tea, discussing life and wondering where all the time has gone ...beth