So, I have not done a great job staying on top of this blog. It isn't at all surprising to me considering I often feel I hardly have time to live my life, much less write about it. I feel I have a lot more perseverance than inspiration when life is moving at such a fast pace. But thankfully, Thanksgiving break has arrived, and I have had time to pause and think and reflect and...well, being that it is THANKSgiving...be thankful.
Today, NC State had a chance to play for the ACC Championship next weekend in Charlotte. All we had to do was beat Maryland. We came out of the gates ready to play, scoring in our first two possessions with the score 14-0 in the first quarter. I'll spare you the details (and my mind from remembering them), but we lost. And so, NC State's season ends at 8-4. Sure, we'll get a bowl game, but we hadn't won the ACC Championship since 1979. It would have been great to have a shot at that again. Anyway--my point. When the game ended, Anderson was very disappointed. Trying to put things into proper perspective and relieve his heartache, my response to him was this: In the grand scheme of things, this is just a game--a game that will be forgotten. We have so much to be thankful for--we have each other, we have our health, we have a beautiful home and a wonderful life.
Sure, it was a speech that many parents give their children. And yes, I could have recited it without a lot of thought. Only I didn't. Maybe I needed to hear those words more than he did--our life is BLESSED. Beyond measure. And while I can easily fret over silly things like the game or the fact that I haven't, for example, stayed on top of this blog like I want to, the truth is I am exquisitely blessed. And I am so incredibly grateful to God for reminding me that a heart of gratitude is the only way to keep a proper perspective in the midst of disappointment.
This Thanksgiving weekend, I give thanks--for my God who has loved me way more than I have ever deserved and Who has given me more than I could have even dreamed for myself; for my husband who, though I occasionally do want to ring his sweet little neck, is the most amazing and loving husband and father, whose integrity and honesty are rare and precious, whose strong work ethic has reaped us great rewards, and who really loves me in spite of myself; for my children who are truly more amazing than I ever dreamed they would be and who really love me and remind me that true love never dies and always forgives; for my parents and sisters who first taught me what love and family are really meant to be--loyal, faithful, honest, and merciful; for the family I married into who is so much like the family I was born into that loving them and maybe just as importantly--liking them--is effortless; and for my dear, close friends who are the most understanding, loving, faithful, kind, supportive, and loyal people one could ever know. Really. Saying I am "blessed" feels like the understatement of the century.
Who knows when I will blog again? Hopefully soon? But I won't hold myself to it. I'll get to it when I get to it, and if I don't have an expectation for myself, I am less likely to be disappointed. But even if I am, I am cognizant of the way to overcome it.
Gratitude.
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