Thankful Thursday - Everything...Just Everything

As we've watched the devastating news about Hurricane Harvey this week, my heart has ached for the victims of all the floods.  I've been through many hurricanes here in Florida, but have never been through flooding. We're praying for those in Texas and Louisiana, and are preparing donations to help.  

Seeing all these people have lost has intensified my gratitude for every little thing we're blessed with. . . a roof over our heads, food to eat, clean water to drink, ice, my bed and pillow, my bathroom, my phone, my car, sunshine, hospitals, grocery stores, drug stores. . . everything . . . just everything.  

Just think of losing every thing. . . your home and everything in it, your car, employment, public transportation,communication through your cell phone.  Everything . . . just everything material that is. 

I've been encouraged to see those with faith speak of trusting in God and being thankful for their family's making it out alive.  Times like these can really bring out the best in people.   

I've also been thankful for the ones who are helping . . . rescuing victims, taking food and water to the shelters, opening businesses and churches as shelters.  I even saw a woman singing Amazing Grace in a shelter.  She said she just wanted to bring them some encouragement and comfort and to make them smile.  What a blessing, right?

Here are some other things I'm grateful for this week:

We dedicated a beautiful baby girl to Hashem at the synagogue this month (see her photo above).  Her name is Jeanette Gail.  Isn't she gorgeous?  She was really rockin' that animal print headband.

Rabbi Jem with the parents, grandparents, and Jeanette's two brothers.  Don't those two little boys look like living dolls?  Every week, they run in with arms wide open to give me and Rabbi big hugs.  I wish you could see how well behaved they are in the service.  They pay close attention to Rabbi, and when he asks a question, they answer.  They even get it right sometimes.  Their ages are three and four - amazing!  I'm thankful for parents and grandparents who teach their little ones to honor Adonai.

I spotted a beautiful, rare swallowtail in the Golden Cottage Garden, and was so thankful to have my camera.

And enjoyed the glorious blooms around Golden Pond.  Jemima Puddle Duck did, too.

the boys putting together a wooden race car

Our grandson is now wearing glasses.  He really likes them.  He said things aren't fuzzy any more.

We were thankful to see the effect of the solar eclipse in our driveway.  The crescent shapes are the sun's light filtering through the tree in our front yard.

Cool, huh?

We discovered a caterpillar on our garage door.  Our grandson inspected it closely.  About a week later, it turned into a black and gold butterfly.  Jem saw it emerge, but it happened so fast he couldn't get the camera.   Now, every time he sees a similar type butterfly he says, "I think that's him!"

It's been two weeks full of gratitude here at the Golden Cottage.  What are you thankful for this week?





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