Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Gratitude Tuesday . . .

"As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily.  The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world."  
~Terri Guillemets~
 
As I contemplate on the things that have happened, this week alone, I feel immense gratitude and appreciation for all the blessings in my life.  My husbands mother has been diagnosed with terminal cancer  - and given 3-6 months to live.  I have know my mother-in law for almost 40 years,  so thinking of her not being here  is going to be difficult.  We aren't as close as maybe we should be, we don't always see eye-to-eye, but I do love her, and feel much gratitude to her for all of the things that she has done for me; for all the times that she was there for me and my family.  Without her, I would not have the wonderful family that I love so much, and for that I am so very grateful!  Thomas S. Monson said:

 "We often take for granted the very people who most deserve our gratitude. Let us not wait until it is too late for us to express that gratitude. Speaking of loved ones he had lost, one man declared his regret this way: “I remember those happy days, and often wish I could speak into the ears of the dead the gratitude which was due them in life, and so ill returned.”"
 
I am thankful for family.
 
For wonderful daughters, and babies dressed like hotdogs!
 
For cute grandkids  who make me smile!
 
 For little girls who look like Southern Belles . . . 

And little boys who are as brave as Darth Vader!

Join me each Tuesday in November -  tell me what you are most grateful for!
 
Warm Hugs,


15 comments:

Gina said...

Sweet Barb,

I am so sorry to hear about your MIL's cancer. I will add her to my prayer list. May God comfort her and may she enjoy life at its fullest.

Roeann said...

What adorable pictures. I am so sorry about your mother-in-law. I have a notebook of questions about all this lifetime business. I'm taking it with me and I expect to have some answers someday. So many things I don't understand.

Vee said...

Oh. Times like these are when we need all the grace the Lord is so willing to give. I am feeling sad knowing that this is where I was with my mother a year ago. It certainly helps me know a little better how to pray.

My mother-in-law and I didn't always see eye to eye either and one day she said to me, "You don't like me very much do you?" And I said, "Oh, Connie, I love you. You are my husband's mother and you raised him and I do love you." After that, things between us changed profoundly.

After 40 years you know your mother-in-law very well and will be able to help her a lot. And, still, I will pray for a miracle. May you all know sweet blessings and the peace the Lord gives even in the middle of the storm.

Ladybug said...

So Sorry Barb about your dear MIL may the grace
of the Lord be with you during this time...
Enjoyed your post and the expression of all heartful thoughts... Adorable photos of the
grandkids and your daughter is so beautiful
how blessed you are.... with a wonderful family
Thoughts and prayers
hugs
Ladybug

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Beautiful post Barb. I think your little trick or treaters are darling.

So sorry about your MIL. You are in my prayers as you go through this with your husband and family.

Saimi said...

I'm grateful for tender post like this and darling children in adorable Halloween costumes!

Sorry about your Mother in Law, she sounds like a wonderful lady!

Marge said...

Hi Barb,
Sorry to hear that your mil has cancer. God bless her and help her as she travels this journey to eternity. She will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Love your idea of sharing the things we are grateful for on Tuesdays in November.

I am grateful for: the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clean clothes to wear.

Your grandkids are adorable but it's no wonder with such an attractive mommy and grammy.

Hope your day is a happy one. Hugz!!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Barb, I'm so sorry about your MIL, I will pray for her and for you and your family as you go through this. I didn't get along the best with my MIL, I don't think she liked me very well and she wasn't the best grandmother in the world, either. But I am glad I have the man I married, which wouldn't have been possible without her! She's been gone 9 years, it doesn't seem possible. I do miss her even tho we had our differences.
Your grands are so cute! And you have a beautiful daughter...just like her mother!
Have a great week. Hugs!

Beth at Aunties said...

So sorry about your MIL! It is hard to watch any of our parents suffer and go. I am glad you have some time to let her know and feel of your gratitude. Serving my MIL in her illness only brought us closer. Yet ours was a Mother and daughter in law love feast from the beginning. I really lucked out!
I am watching my own mom slip more each day from us and it is breaking my heart. She is working so hard on an other presentation for DUP next week in her new chapter here in Utah:)
You little ones (and daughter) are adorable as were their costumes!:)
Good luck~♥

Debbie said...

Your family are gorgeous Barb. What a blessing.
I'm so sorry about MIL, cancer is a dreadful thing and we will pray for you all.My dad had inoperable cancer and was give 3-6 months. The treatment caused a stroke. But his strength, mum's belief in him and my constant prayer gave us two years with him. He gave up after mum died suddenly.
I'm grateful for the extra time with him and the knowledge that he and mum are together. They never joined The Church, but at the end Dad believed he would see his wife again. I read the BOM to him during his last hours and the last image I have of him was lying in his bed, at peace, with the book between his crossed arms where the nurses had put it.
For that I am Forever Grateful
Love Debbie x

Shug said...

Good Morning Barb....
My thoughts and prayers are with your family and your mother-in-law...This kind of news can be so hard on a family...
We do have so very much to be thankful for, and I think the older I get, the more thankful I am becoming, even for the wee little things...
Your family is precious and your grandkids are adorable. Isn't life grand with these little rascals surrounding us each day?
Your family will be on my prayer list!
Thanks for sharing this.
Warm hugs,
shug

Arlene said...

What a beautiful post and tribute to your mother-in-law. I'm sorry she's so sick, it must be very hard on your husband and children to hear this about a mother/grandmother. I pray the Lord's comfort for your family.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Lovely post, all round, Dear One...

Gentle hugs,
"November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring."


- Elizabeth Coatsworth

LeAnn said...

A very sweet post and I loved the pictures of those cute grandchildren of yours. Wow, I am so sorry about your MIL's cancer. Your family will be in our prayers. It is always hard to lose a parent. I do know that these kinds of experiences will often times bring family members closer together. Knowing you as I do you will be there for her. I always felt sad that we didn't live closer to Roger's parents in their final years. I loved his mother so much and she was ill for several years. I too had deep gratitude for her because she was my sweethearts mother.
Love and hugs to you!

The WIlloughby Family said...

Thanks Mom!! I love your thoughts about grandma, I think it is sometimes easier to point out the negative than to search for the good. I admire you for searching for the good. There is good in everyone-there is always a diamond hiding inside the rocks, if we just search and try to understand the outer layers. Thanks for being an example to me, I really love and appreciate you!!

Happy Spring!

  Outside my window . . .  Two weeks ago this is what it looked like.  We had a  huge winter storm, and got 12 inches of new snow!  It was c...