Lest any of you freak out, have no fear. Our wedding anniversary is months away and you have plenty of time to plan accordingly for the surprise party/cruise or whatnot. (You must know that it took me a good fifteen seconds to remember the word cruise. It must be that time of the evening where my words start quitting on me. Perfect time to blog!)
Tomorrow, Wednesday, is the one year anniversary of Ada June's heart surgery. I have been approaching this day with so much gratitude. Ada has been doing so well, in fact, that many days we live life so normally and without a second thought to her heart. She is growing and learning words, and slowly and quite independently and without coercion taking a few steps. Her favorite food is likely still avocado, though she has become a fast friend to graham crackers. You would never know...
But tomorrow, Nick and I will bring Ada to Children's Hospital, not as a patient but as a visitor. We are hoping to say hello to the nurses, doctors, and possibly the surgeon, and to express our thanks to them for their care and expertise that was used to fix Ada's heart. And we might bring some cocoa and candy. How on earth do we adequately thank all those who had a hand in the process of helping our family? "To whom much is given..."
I have had a tough year. Only God knows just how much- or little- of it was spent in deep gratitude for the good things. I am even "reading" (at such a snail's pace that I am not sure if I can officially count it) a book on thanking God for the many blessings we receive in each day and I have even managed to find fault in such a noble book. But a couple weeks ago I found a portion I could wake up to. The message hit home. Don't expect a flowery Thanksgiving message, but here is a short quote for tonight...
"... I may feel disappointment and the despair may flood high, but to give thanks is an action and rejoice is a verb and these are not mere pulsing emotions. While I may not always feel joy, God asks me to give thanks in all things, because He knows that the feeling of joy begins in the action of thanksgiving."
Ann Voskamp, Ten Thousand Gifts
We are thankful. And we will give thanks.
Thank you to all of you who have and continue to journey with us. We love you.
