Happy Thanksgiving!

The earth keeps giving and we keep on receiving. The oranges, lemons, tomatoes are still bearing fruit. I am grateful for having grown up where my early life was walking barefoot, with the beauty of the land, the mountains and oceans adding to life and living.

A few days ago, a news person asked persons in the food line what were their thoughts.

One said, “I’m thankful for having a home I can return to.”

Another: “I’m thankful I can walk.”

Still another: “I’m thankful for my health.”

A number of years ago our son was visiting with my mother and she said, I’m thankful all my children went to college.” (six of us)

When I was in college in Iowa, I lived with a blind man and his wife. He was the most amazing man I ever met. He was a carpenter, a plumber, could cane chairs, type his sermons on a typewriter. He was a Quaker pastor.

When we were in Iowa, I told Sylvia I want you to meet Guilford. Now widowed, he said come and I’ll have lunch for you. When we got to Hesper, in northern Iowa, Guilford was in the kitchen preparing lunch: potatoes boiling in a pot. He was cutting apples for a fruit salad. He said, I also baked a bread for you.” He said, “Guess what else I do?” “Canning.” Blind but he could see with his mind.

The greatest gift we are given is our spirit. For family, for friends, for opportunities, and for what we have, let us give thanks.

Pastor Dennis Ginoza