Trading Ashes for Beauty

Happy Thanksgiving…….hope it has been a wonderful day with family and friends – as well as, at least, a bit of time to reflect on all our blessings!!  Just for fun, I’ve listed some of mine as the ABCs of gratitude:)
A heart so thankful for:
A – answers to prayers….there have been many this year – big and “small” but, most recently, a huge answer to praise Him for….when a MRI showed that my cancer was NOT out of remission despite what the doctor had thought!

B – Bible (and Bible studies this year)
C – my children….how special it has been having them both close to home again!
D – doggie kisses….actually the literal kisses are not my favorite but the unconditional love of my faithful pup(s) is precious!
E – eternity!
F – friends….new ones, long-time ones, bloggy friends – ALL of them make my life extra special….the cherry on top of each day!
G – grandchildren:)  They call ‘em “grand” for a reason!!
H – Hubbie….truly, what would my life be without him to share it along side me?!?
I – iced tea – and, in particular, Chick Fil-A unsweet tea! Enough said.
J – job…I love going to work:)
K – kitchen….really, I so enjoy my (almost still new) home but the kitchen is just that room where we spend a lot of time and enjoy a lot of life
L – laugh lines….no doubt, wrinkles are inevitable but if you have to have those lines on your face, at least make them laugh lines – from a life lived happy:)
M – memories!!!
N – neighbors – ours are really nice…yeah.
O – oncologist…once cancer becomes a part of your life, you truly appreciate an oncologist who is brilliant yet personal and compassionate – and, mine is
P – Pastor (and his family, my Preacher’s wife)……what a blessing they both are
Q – quiet time – those first moments of the day where I can meet with God….and He waits to meet with me!
R – reality of Heaven – and a real and wonderful reunion one day.  Many days it is, literally, what keeps me moving.
S – Scott….the best brother ever!
T – (being) Tyler’s Mommy – I will forever be grateful!!!
U – undeserved favor….there really are just too many blessings to list – and I don’t deserve a one of them
V – VA benefits – allowing my Airman to go to college without any debt!
W – WWC (Women With Compassion) group…that I have the privilege to lead and work along side of – such a sweet spirited group of ladies
X – x-ray technology – like pet scans, CT scans and, even, MRIs (see above)!
Y – yard…Hubbie love our little space and the chance to putter together in order to create a space that not only says home but also says “Welcome”!
Z – I.have.no.idea.  Truly….but you get the idea. From A to Y(ha!) I am so blessed with much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season!!  Hope you have, too!