Musings From the Herd: Please and Thank You!

I never had an interest in Thanksgiving.  I'm not a big fan of turkey and don't really pay a lot of attention to the historical significance of this particular holiday.  But yesterday, I received an email from my friend Sandy.  She wrote "Have a great thankgiving weekend. It's been a year to give thanks for in many ways!:)"


So I thought I'd take a minute to reflect on all that I am thankful for this year, and think about what might possibly come my way.  So, I am thankful for (in no particular order):

• the Trinitarian God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who are equal but different, and are an integral part of our lives in every aspect.  Without God, I would be nothing.  He is so great, gracious and merciful.  He has so much to teach me.
• my beautiful baby girl, Little Sheep, who came into this world over four months ago and has been an incredible eye-opening experience.  I love her (and Papa Sheppard) more than anything in this world.
• My wonderful husband, Papa Sheppard, who has proven himself to be different and better than any other man I know countless times over.  I cannot imagine being with anyone else.
• my mother and step-dad, the new grandparents, and their ability to laugh off my naivety and foolishness throughout my pregnancy and the beginnings of my journey through motherhood
• the wonderful birth experience I had -- painful, but wonderful
• my work partner, who has since moved away, but who made my experience working while I was pregnant so much easier and was so supportive
• Sandy and her husband, and their beautiful baby girl
• my best friend, D, away in Alberta, and her gorgeous family.  D has had three kids of her own, and is always able to answer my questions, or able to direct me in the right path.
• my friend Bri, who is so crafty and capable, and makes the cutest cloth diapers!
• Papa Sheppard's parents, who dote over Little Sheep like she is the only baby alive!
• this wonderful city I live in -- clean, open-minded, helpful to its citizens, and conscious of both the environment and the financial state
• our warm home and kitchen full of food
• the Internet, which acts as my brain on many occasions
• those who inspire me every day -- Shane Claiborne, Mother Theresa, my grandmother, Frank, and many people I see on the streets who give me ideas, whom I might never meet again.
• my dad, who looks down on us from Heaven
• the many people out there who follow and support our way of life -- attachment parenting, conscious consumerism, environmentally thoughtful, organic consumption
• my marriage, built on a loving and compassionate rock we call Christ, and maintained with an attitude of respect, honour and love.
• my husband's ability to provide for us and keep us well fed and our heads above water financially.  He has medical issues that make working difficult for him, yet he gets up every morning and does it to the best of his abilities to provide and keep us safe and healthy.

It has been an amazing year.  Rereading this list is a humbling experience and makes me teary-eyed.  So many wonderful people and things to be thankful for.  

God bless you all, and Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!