Beyond Just Mom

This weekend, I’m enjoying the luxury of being a guest in my husband’s childhood home.  It’s not often that I get to sleep in, enjoy great food and wine, and relax with my extended family.   Both G and I are so thankful that both sets of our parents are healthy, happy and fun to be around.  Even with all my whining lately, I know we are so richly blessed.

My friend Diane sent me this Thanksgiving message that I pass on to you today.  I send it to raise awareness of our own blessings, not to impose guilt or remorse.  I’m firm believer in “to whom much is given, much is expected.”  So please, enjoy the day–relax, refresh, renew your soul–so you can bless another, in what ever way you can.  And if you need to receive this season, please enjoy the bounty.  

If you woke up this morning

with more health than illness,

you are more blessed than the

million who won’t survive the week.

 

If you have never experienced

the danger of battle,

the loneliness of imprisonment,

the agony of torture or

the pangs of starvation,

you are ahead of 20 million people

around the world.

 

If you attend a church meeting

without fear of harassment,

arrest, torture, or death,

you are more blessed than almost

three billion people in the world.

 

If you have food in your refrigerator,

clothes on your back, a roof over

your head and a place to sleep,

you are richer than 75% of this world.

 

If you have money in the bank,

in your wallet, and spare change

in a dish someplace, you are among

the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

 

If you hold up your head with a smile

on your face and are truly thankful,

you are blessed because the majority can,

but most do not.

 

If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them

or even touch them on the shoulder,

you are blessed because you can

offer a healing touch.

 

If you have read this message,

you are more blessed than over

two billion people in the world

that cannot read anything at all.