In praise of friends and family

I am very very lucky in having lots of good friends at home and all around the world. And i am very lucky to still have my father in my life (my mother passed away in February) and my sister. I keep writing several paragraphs enumerating all the people who are important in my life, and then deleting them again...i'm afraid i'd hurt someone by accidentally forgetting them, so better not to mention anyone at all.

I am thankful that my mother, who had been suffering from Alzheimer's for a year or more, died quietly with my father at her side. I am grateful that with as much as she had lost, she still remembered who we were.

I am overjoyed that two friends from my congregation who have been trying unsuccessfully and with great pain for many years to have children have both been blessed with babies this year.

I am grateful for my four cats, each one with a different hard luck story, each one a cherished member of my family.

I give thanks each day when i get out of bed and know that i've got another day on this beautiful earth.

I hope that all who read this will have many blessings and much to be thankful for, too.