Thankful

This last week was my favorite time of year. Beside the breath taking beauty of the trees' new garb,

it's a time were we all can just take a step back, and look at life. Look at what God has given us, see the beauty and love that surrounds us. We list things we're thankful for, we stuff ourselves with the traditional foods and we enjoy our family's company.

This year I [along with two of my siblings and my dad] went up to northern Oregon to visit my grandparents for Thanksgiving. It was so beautiful there, [albeit freezing cold ;] I absolutely loved it. After Thanksgiving day we all drove to the coast to see the ocean [can you believe it was my first time ever seeing the ocean!?] we visited Depoe Bay and Lincoln. We trolled through the little sea-side town that bordered the shore line and ate a wonderful dinner at a place called Tidal Raves.

The wind was blowing hard that day, and it was below 30*, my jean jacket over my hoody was barely enough to keep me from becoming an icicle.

Well, to touch on the ocean..

That day there were waves crashing against the rocks and sweeping thirty feet up the shore, dousing my younger brother who decided that it was cool, and he could now say "I have been touched by the ocean!'"

His shoes are now hard and white from the salt ;)

Standing as close as we could get to the water, we often had to scamper backwards to avoid the waves rushing up in an attempt to freeze our feet with it's frigid waters.

The only thing I could think of as I gazed across that vast expanse, was the awesome power of God, it was very humbling.

After a day spent at the coast and in town we finally drove back to the house. I lay on the couch that night smiling as I rewound the memories in my mind, letting them cement themselves into my memory, for I knew they would be cherished for a long time.

What I was thankful for last week,

The time I was able to spend with family we don't often get to see, and having the chance to see something so beautiful and powerful.

And I was thankful that I had another year to enjoy my family, to see them laughing and smiling.

I was thankful for the love, kindness, joy and care that I have gotten from my family and friends this year, and for the life I have been given, 

I have been given a loving family, amazing friends, a roof over my head and food on the table and the grace of a Savior who saved me from myself.

Who could ask for more?

*photos by me

Memorial

That one day, those hours of fear

The terrified running, the noises of change

I hear people sayin', we don't need this war
But I say there are some things worth fightin' for
What about our freedom, and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down.

Smoke filling the air, debris falling like rain

Soot and ash covered people, staring in frozen shock

The air filled with cries, as those two monuments fell

And the horror, when the they saw they weren't the only ones

Some say this country's just out looking for a fight.

Well, after 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right


That day is burned and seared into the hearts of millions

That day is a horrible wound, but the thing with wounds is, they eventually heal

Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

Some say we shouldn’t be fighting in this war

But I say, talk to a survivor, or to ones left to bury their loved ones.

Talk to the heroes and the ones who go away to war.

And you tell me if we shouldn’t fight for what’s ours.
To fight for our freedom, and fight for our liberty.

Have you forgotten, how it felt that day? To see your homeland under fire,
And her people blown away.  Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going through a living @#!*% ,
Have you forgotten?

I've been there with the soldiers, who’ve gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember, Just what they're fighting for


[pardon my leaving the ' @#!*% ' in there. in my personal opinion @#!*% isn't a bad word, unless it is used in a derogatory way. In this instance, I kept it there because how else could you describe what those people went through?]


[italicized words from Darryl Worley: Have You Forgotten?]