Overflowing Gratitude
I sat at the table with lots of family on Thanksgiving Day.
My eyes peered around the table and my ears heard the noises of playful cousins all throughout the house.
Why am I so blessed to be here?
Surrounded by so much goodness?
Yes, life can be difficult at times, and many times to the breaking point of unbearable.
But today, I am content, well fed (working to reverse that), well loved, healthy, and here on earth to LIVE.
To LIVE and be at the Thanksgiving table seeing and hearing a handful of my favorite people, my family.
Then, I thought of my Mom. I miss her terribly.
She isn’t here anymore but I know she is always with me.
But still, I can get very very sad at times. It’s been almost 35 years.
The quote I heard in General Conference hit me again as I was pondering at the Thanksgiving table and as I thought of her.
“I testify that the veil is thin. The same feelings of loyalty, love, and family unity don’t end as our loved ones pass to the other side; instead, those feelings are intensified.
Sometimes people will ask, “How long did it take you to get over it?” The truth is, you will never completely get over it until you are together once again with your departed loved ones. I will never have a fulness of joy until we are reunited in the morning of the First Resurrection.” Elder Shayne M. Bowen
The holidays can be hard for me at times in light of my Mom.
She was very sick during the holidays and then passed away two weeks after Christmas.
But this quote, and actually the whole talk by Elder Bowen, has reminded me that one day my Mother will be in my life again.
She will get to hug, kiss, and scold my children.
She will get to make pumpkin pies with me in the kitchen at Thanksgiving in cute aprons.
She will get to gobble up my little ones and demand of my children to play for her a piano piece.
Yes, one day, I will have all of that…and I will know her.
So, that is why I am feeling so overwhelmed with gratitude today.
On this Thanksgiving holiday, I am grateful for Easter and for my Savior, Jesus Christ making it possible for families to be forever.
Huh..even Thanksgiving is all about HIM.