Thankful Thursday - 2016

2016 was a very good year because it was a restful year.  I'm thankful for my year-long season of rest.  Lots of porch sitting, reading and journaling.  The four years before were a long season of stress, death, and grief.  My body, mind and spirit needed renewing.  

I'm thankful for my porch, my pond, and long rides in the country with my husband.  

Golden Pond

Hubby drives, and I take pictures of G-d's beautiful world.  There's so much.  I'm thankful for eyes to see that glory.

I'm thankful for family times around my table.  Actually, this is my mother's table.  Having it here reminds me of all the times we gathered at her table over the years.

I'm thankful for our synagogue family, and the wonderful times we've had together.  This photo was taken the day Rabbi Jem baptized five young people.  2016 was a blessing as we saw eight baptized, one Bar Mitzvah, one Bat Mitzvah, and four weddings.  Glory to Hashem!

Laughter!! I'm so thankful for laughter this year.  That little boy and his grandfather are a constant source of joy and laughs.  The first thing our grandson does when he gets to our house is take off his shoes, then his socks, and then his shirt.  He feels at home for sure.  And that box!  It's his favorite thing to play with.  He's amazingly creative with it, too.

My neighbor's cat has been a source of joy, too.  He comes over every day for a visit.  This is one of his favorite places to sit.

and then, there's this:

And if you know me, you know I'm thankful for the birds.  They always lift my spirits and teach me great lessons.

Palm Warbler

What are you thankful for in 2016?

Thankful Thursday is my day to focus on and be thankful for all the many blessings in my life.

************

I sometimes share my posts with these friends:

Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   

Modest Mom Monday Link-up         Growing Homemakers Link-Up        The Gathering Spot Link-Up 

MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP

The Art of Homemaking Mondays
Monday of Many Blessings 

Titus 2 Tuesday     Share Your Stuff Tuesday    TITUS TUESDAYS @CORNERSTONE CONFESSIONS    

Wordless Wednesdays    Jennifer Dukes Lee Tell His Story  Teaching What Is Good Link-Up

Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 

 Home and Garden Thursday at Delightsome Life 

Friendship Friday