Thankful or Grateful

Grateful Thanksgiving to you. Today I will share with you the words of someone else who I am extremely thankful and grateful for. You can visit Deb Millard's blogs at www.caringbridge.com/visit/connorscott99 or connorscott99.blogspot.com.

"We wish each of our friends and family a, well that's tough...a "happy" Thanksgiving? The adjective to pick is the difficulty. So many families we know are struggling right now with severe illness. Some are presently in the hospital today trying to cope . Two years ago that is exactly where we were. In the PICU with Connor on Thanksgiving Day. Last year was our first Thanksgiving without him. This year is our Second...

One family we love has to cope with the one year anniversary of their son's death TODAY. Yes, on Thanksgiving. Imagine...

Many families are missing their children today. Holidays are extremely difficult for so many. Much of the time the word "happy" just doesn't fit. I think those of us who have children in heaven become extremely thankful for what we did have, and are so amazingly grateful for the hope we have of seeing our kids again.

Those of us who are dealing with serious illness right now? We live one day at a time... Sometimes we just have to live one moment to the next. Things are just too precarious. We are so incredidly thankful that our children are here with us. We have a gratefulness that most other families can't imagine.

Thanksgiving for families of children with these types of needs, well it has a totally different meaning. I wouldn't necessarily use the term "happy". I guess I'd use the term "grateful".

So I guess we wish you a "Grateful Thanksgiving!" We hope you remember those good times with a thankful heart, and embrace those moments you have now with gratefulness. We pray you can look toward the future with hopefulness through the pain. We pray God's grace on each one of you.

Thanksgiving was not one of Connor's favorite holidays. He could not eat the food. But, he did love coming up with all the things he was thankful for. He would always say God... Mama, Papa, Caseygirl. His Grandparents... His Cousins and his Friends. Of course the BUCKEYES! He even said Mr. Sun!

Us? We are so incredibly thankful to God for giving us an amazing 8 1/2 years with this spunky, beautiful little boy who completely changed our lives! We are forever different and totally blessed! What are you thankful for today?"