On This Day of Giving Thanks ~

On this Thanksgiving Day ~ and throughout the holiday season, dear readers ~ please know that I am thankful for each and every one of you.  ~ Marty Tousley

For That, I Am Thankful

by Darcie Sims

It doesn't seem to get any better ~

but it doesn't get any worse either.

For that, I am thankful.

There are no more pictures to be taken ~ 

but there are memories to be cherished.

For that, I am thankful.

There is a missing chair at the table ~

but the circle of family gathers close.

For that, I am thankful.

The turkey is smaller ~

but there is still stuffing.

For that, I am thankful.

The days are shorter ~

but the nights are softer.

For that, I am thankful.

The pain is still there ~

but it lasts only moments.

For that, I am thankful.

The calendar still turns, the holidays still appear ~

And they still cost too much ~

but I am still here.

For that, I am thankful.

The room is still empty, the soul still aches ~

but the heart remembers.

For that, I am thankful.

The guests still come, the dishes pile up ~

but the dishwasher still works.

For that, I am thankful.

The name is still missing, the words still unspoken ~

but the silence is shared.

For that, I am thankful.

The snow still falls, the sled still waits,

and the spirit still wants to ~ 

For that, I am thankful.

The stillness remains ~

but the sadness is smaller.

For that, I am thankful.

The moment is gone ~

but the love is forever.

For that, I am blessed.

For that, I am grateful ~

Love was once (and still is) 

a part of my being ~

For that, I am living.

I am living ~

and for that, I am thankful.

May your holidays be filled with reasons to be thankful.

Having loved and having been loved 
is perhaps the most wondrous reason of all.

© 1992 by Darcie D. Sims and used with permission of the publisher. Darcie Sims is a prolific author, president and co-founder of Grief, Inc, Director of the American Grief Academy in Seattle, WA and Director of Training and Certification for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). She can be contacted at darcie@griefinc.com or by calling (253) 949-0649.