The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Today is Thanksgiving and I felt it necessary to post a second blog this week and give thanks for the blessings I have in life.

Today as I awoke and exercised I was reminded to be thankful for life. Although my wife passed away nearly six months ago, I am still thankful for so many things. Yes, today is a painful day because Lyn is not here with me to celebrate a day of giving thanks. Thanksgiving was one of our favorite days. But, as the scripture says, “give thanks in all circumstances.” I am thankful for memories, pictures, laughter, family and stories. Even in grief, I can search my heart and be thankful for something.

As I drove my two dogs over to my daughter’s house today, I was thankful to see her lovely smile that reminds me of her mother. As I drove two hours today to be with family, I enjoyed hearing my two boys talk about sports cars, and we discussed fantasy football. As I sat in the kitchen listening to family, I simply sat back and smiled because I was reminded how blessed I am to have family that supports each other. I was thankful for the amazing meal that we all partook of while many people in the world have a few scraps of what I ate today.

Today I reflected on how blessed I am to have amazing friends that I can share my life, my grief and my joys with. In turn, I am further blessed because I am honored to hear their life story, and I am amazed how people with grief or trauma, much deeper than mine, are using their story to touch the lives of those they encounter. Their lives inspire me to keep moving forward to be the best person I can be and share Lyn’s amazing story through this blog. A close friend reminds me often to be present in the moment and to take life, “One step at a time, one day at a time.”

Lyn and I talked many times about how blessed we were and we gave thanks to God each night in our prayers. When Lyn had her stroke, life could have ended there, however, God had other plans. At Thanksgiving 2017, Lyn had an allergic reaction to cancer medication, and spent 11 days in intensive care. According to the doctor, “Lyn was a whisper away from death,” but God had other plans. Lyn had six episodes of brain bleeds, and those could have been life-threatening, but God had other plans. Lyn was able to live for more than two years after her stroke and cancer diagnosis, and I am thankful tonight as I reflect on what I was able to experience with her.

Today I am reminded to give thanks. I am thankful to God for being ever present in my challenging times and keeps moving me forward.

Happy Thanksgiving. Give thanks for something today.

About the author

Thank you for checking out This Side of Sunshine! I have had a variety of life experiences. I have been a public speaker, firefighter, minister, non-profit board-member, writer, blogger, college professor, and government administrator. I am a father of three, and was the husband to Lyn for nearly 30 years. In 2019 Lyn passed away, so it is my honor to write a blog about what we learned about life, love, cancer, family, friends, laughter, faith, eternity, grief, and hope. During her journey, we learned how important it was to live in the present, but also keep moving forward in life. This blog is about what we learned, but it's also about how to move forward through grief after loss. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from the University of Sioux Falls, and a Master of Divinity from Kairos University (Formerly Sioux Falls Seminary), Sioux Falls, SD.

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