As we gather together

Texas is finally getting some cooler weather as Thanksgiving approaches. Yay! I am busy this week like most people ,but I wanted to take a moment to say thank you all for your support and community. This year has been really hard with Grace’s health challenges and my mom’s decline. I haven’t written as much as I’ve wanted to, mainly because I don’t want to be a downer . (Actually I have written and not posted quite a lot. )But there have been so many good things , too!

God has carried me through these unexpected life changes and I have definitely learned the truth that “adversity brings you closer to God”. He has never left me, even during times of self-pity and depression. He has gently brought me back to his truths and given me hope. To all who might read this, thank you for your prayers and love and friendship.

The following was written by my assistant, ChatGPT, using my prompts. It’s not quite my style but it’s still true. ☺️

🦃Thanksgiving has always been a time to gather with family, share a meal, and celebrate the blessings we so often take for granted. This year, however, feels particularly poignant.

It will likely be the last Thanksgiving I’ll have with my mom. Her ALS has progressed to the stage of just barely able to walk but we must be with her because she falls and can’t get up, and while this reality weighs heavily on our hearts, we are profoundly thankful that she is still here with us. Last year, we weren’t even sure we’d have this time. Her presence at the table is a gift, a reminder to cherish every moment with those we love.

In the midst of personal challenges, I am also grateful for the peace that has followed the recent election. It’s refreshing to feel hope for the future of our country and the world—hope that we can bridge divides and find unity in the days ahead. I pray that families will put aside politics and love each other again.

I am so looking forward to seeing my sons, spending time with family, and sharing a delicious meal together. (I’m making the cornbread for the dressing right now.) These moments of connection and love are what make life rich and meaningful. I’m especially thankful for the opportunity to sit down, laugh, reminisce, and create new memories that will sustain us in the days to come.

This Thanksgiving, let’s pause to give thanks—for family, for hope, and for the incredible gift of life. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but today, we celebrate the blessings that surround us.

Wishing you all a Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and gratitude. May God bless you and your family abundantly this season!

With love and hope,

Paula ❤️