Posts Tagged With: thanksgiving

Where’s the Joy? A Widow’s Walk

Posted on November 27, 2025 by tricialathrop

Thanksgiving

Last year, we spent Thanksgiving at home, and some family came over, bringing us some turkey and Thanksgiving fixings. Who knew it would be the last Norm and I had together?

I have plans today. I’ll go to the home of my niece, Kimberly. My brother with his wife and my sister will also attend, my nieces and their kids, and my daughter, Jenn is coming in. We’ll have a good time. I’m taking cookies for the kids to decorate…and likely make a big mess. It will be fun.

People ask how I am, and it varies from day to day…it varies throughout the day. I can be doing well and see or hear something that brings tears to my eyes. Last week I went to WDW with my sisters, and the simple fact that they spoke to their husbands every morning brought me to tears. I miss being able to share my life with Norm.

But today is a day to focus on the blessings.

Norm is in a better place, at total peace in the presence of the Lord.

Insurance has been great about paying for his hospital bills.

Norm left me with enough financial security that I don’t have to sell the house and move in with my kids. They are thankful for that too, they don’t have to worry about that.

Getting together with my kids and grandkids is always a joy. We laugh a lot, and the memories are sweet.

I am thankful for my siblings and for Norm’s brother and sister. They are an encouragement.

Friends have continued to keep in touch. Many have let me know that they are praying for me especially now because it is the first Thanksgiving without Norm.

I’m in good health and able to continue to get out and experience life.

Most of all, I am thankful for the hope I have in Jesus Christ. Not only do I have the eternal hope of heaven, but He gives me joy to celebrate each day. God is good, His mercy endures for ever and ever.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who made the heavens with skill,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who spread out the earth above the waters,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who made the great lights,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting:
The sun to rule by day,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Psalm 136:1–9

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: faith, hope, jesus, joy, thanksgiving, widow | Leave a comment

Where’s the Joy?

Posted on December 4, 2024 by tricialathrop

December 3

Norm is on the upside of the chemo cycle. Some of his college friends came for a few hours and he enjoyed his time with them, fortunately I like them too, so, a good day for all. It felt like a normal day. We laughed, we talked, we went out to eat.

But there is a shadow that hangs over the good days. He will suffer another round of chemo on Friday, and it will take time to recover from the treatment. I’m trying to take this one day at a time and rest in the reprieve, two more days…Jesus knows we have trouble living day to day.

For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; for for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

Do not worry then, saying, “What will we eat?” or “WHat will we drink?” or “What will we wear for clothing?”

For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34

I’ve never considered myself a worrier, and yet this illness of Norm’s sometimes has me tied up in knots. I really have no control over the outcome, but God does. I can be faithful to support Norm, provide his needs, encourage and pray. Sometimes the support is just listening. All else is in the hand of God.

Thanks: We had a good day today, full of joy and laughter.

Prayer: For Norm to continue to gain back some strength before his next round of chemo.

Rejoice: That God cares for us and knows all that we need. He is working in ways we cannot see.

Where’s the joy? The joy is knowing that God has all this in his hand.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: advent, bible, cancer, christianity, faith, god, jesus, joy, thanksgiving, worry | Leave a comment

Gratitude

Posted on December 14, 2022 by tricialathrop

Christmas overflows with opportunities to give, both openly and anonymously.

Giving brings a special satisfaction, an inner happiness that can’t be duplicated. Giving anonymously for me, brings a greater sense of accomplishment…a game I love to play. The recipient of a secret gift gets the added joy of trying to figure out the giver.

A great gift takes into account the personality and desires of the giftee. A gift from a special friend adds the flavor of the relationship. I wonder how many times I’ve not appreciated the effort that went into the choice.

I don’t think I receive gifts well. Oh I do the right things, saying “Thank you” and writing thank you notes. But I don’t immediately respond, and definitely do not do so with oohing and aching. I’ve never been an overly exuberant person, so gushing is not in my personality. I’m trying to do better…so that the person knows I appreciate the gift, or even the thought behind the gift.

I remember a time when my gift receiving was, for lack of a better word, bad. While shopping in a five and ten store, Mom put me in charge of my younger sisters. We could shop for the family and have the gifts be a surprise. They wanted to buy me a gift so I gave them some money, and they brought most of the money back.

I wish I could have a do-over. They tried to give me something special and I scoffed at its cost. That wallet became my favorite and I use it for years until it fell apart.

Gratitude comes from the heart. A person who is truly thankful gives a wonderful gift to the giver. Acknowledging the sacrifice, effort, or time extended is a start. A big smile and heart felt “Thank you”…or oohing and aching if that’s your style, assures the giver that they chose well.

As we participate in this season of giving and receiving, let’s remember to take the time to thank the One who gave His Son. All good gifts come from His hand.

Oh come let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving. let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise.

For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods.

In his hands are the depths of the earth, the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is His, for He made it and His hands formed the dry ground.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God. And we are the people of His pasture, and we are the sheep of his hand. Psalm 95:1-7

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: advent, gifts, gratitude, thanksgiving | Leave a comment