From Skilled Hands

The Spirit of Thanks

By fromskilledhands ( November 20, 2007 at 8:33 pm) · Filed under Change, Here, Musings

This is Thanksgiving week, a time, for me, at least, of reflection. Our lives are comprised of a series of “moments,” that, in the blink of an eye, can change our experience in ways we could never have imagined.

Last night, I visited my dear friend and neighbor at Hospice. She was unable to speak, but she clearly heard my voice and was aware of my presence. I talked to her about some of what we’ve shared: wrestling with our gardens and our dogs and our own demons; coffee on the front steps; the losses of our mothers and fathers within months of each other; her cancer diagnosis and treatment. A series of moments, extraordinary in their ordinariness. Two lives that came together on this quiet lane-and-a-half country road.

In a quietly eloquent post, Judy Merrill Larsen looks at these times. She writes,

“Our lives are full of such moments, but many times we don’t even know it. We don’t know what we’ve narrowly escaped, what’s just missed us. And so, for what we know and don’t know, I am thankful. For the times the salt didn’t pour down and for the strength to continue when it did, I give thanks.”

I also give thanks. I am grateful for the incredible beauty of this amazing planet, for the warmth of family and friends, and for the wisdom of the experiences of those whose lives have touched mine.

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6 comments »

Cathy said,

November 21, 2007 @ 11:29 am

Beautifully put, Debra. Thank you!
Sherry said,

November 21, 2007 @ 8:01 pm

The beautiful moments of lifetimes. The beautiful moments shared with someone you’ve known through thick and thin and you are still there with her, helping her on her final journey.

May you and those you love have a blessed and a Happy Thanksgiving.
fromskilledhands said,

November 21, 2007 @ 8:13 pm

Thank you Cathy and Sherry. My dear friend died this morning, peaceful, with her husband and brothers present. These are times of transition.
Sherry said,

November 22, 2007 @ 12:10 pm

My heart goes to you first of all Debra…the loss of a friend is very difficult. And my heart goes to her family. I am pleased to know that her passing was peaceful and that she was with those that she loved. May her spirit carry on and the angels wing her home.
Mary Witzl said,

November 24, 2007 @ 2:26 pm

I’m glad you had the chance to spend some time with your friend before she died. A friend I have known and loved since I was nine years old is dying, and I just found out about this last week. It is so sad not to be able to do anything to help, to simply have to hope that one’s friend has the most peaceful, comfortable death possible and can die with some grace and dignity. But there is still plenty to be thankful for.
fromskilledhands said,

November 27, 2007 @ 9:45 am

Thank you Sherry—My friend’s husband said that she had been restless until her brothers came. She relaxed, sighed, and breathed her last breath.

I am glad I had the chance to be with my dear friend too, Mary. I am sorry to hear of your friend’s illness. It is so difficult, and yet there is comfort in sending loving peaceful thoughts. And those I send to you.