Aging gratefully

Around this time of year, one tends to reflect upon the events of said year.

Our family will not be likely to forget Twenty Sixteen.

I could go on and on -- you know I could -- but I'll reserve my remarks to the following:

Last week Erica and I traveled to the Atlanta area for two purposes: photography, and seeing a few old friends.

Our reunions with the friends were all we'd dreamed they'd be.

The photography, not so much. It was hot, bright, and cloudless on the only day we had to spend time taking pictures. Even so, we managed one or two shots that captured the season.

The golden hour wasn't even golden, rather white and blinding, but it was moot because by that time we were exhausted from Atlanta traffic, back at the hotel getting ready to meet our first friend for dinner.

But that's okay. On the day we met our second friend, I was given a gift. A tea set.

The friend who gave me the tea set is a close relative of my late life-long dear friend, a precious lady who is with us no more as she passed away in March.

I can't tell you anything about her except, she was beloved by me and many others, and for good reason. For too many good reasons to name. 

But she lost sight of gratitude, perhaps the most Christlike of virtues after humility itself.

And in forsaking the sort of gratitude that walks hand-in-hand with sweet contentment, my friend lost perspective, and with the loss of it, paid a terrible price.

I cherish her tea set -- one she never guessed I would own -- because it was passed on to me by bereaved yet truly grateful relatives who know they wouldn't have made it this year without the prayers of friends.

Also it is black and white, which my friends know is by far my favorite color combination. Stunning, ever-chic noir blanc. My lovely dearly-missed friend and I discussed its special beauty on more than one occasion.

And with that I have likely divulged too much about both myself and her.

Which changes nothing: Be grateful. Just do it. On purpose. This week, this day, this year, and for all the days and weeks and years to come.

Be grateful for all you are given, both good and bad, whether it is what you planned for, what you wished and hoped and dreamed and even prayed for, or not.

It will never fail you, for it is God's heart. Gratitude remains at the core of all love and all humility and as such, of all that is meaningful and eternal.

And I'm sure you're thankful that that's all for now.

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Happy Thanksgiving

Sorry not sorry

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Happy Saturday

Enough said

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Happy Thursday