This week I have much to be thankful for as I prepare for Thanksgiving.
While we were on the road over the Veteran’s Day holiday weekend visiting family in Eastern Washington, I learned from Facebook about the devastating wildfires raging in northern and southern California.
We experienced the first snow of the season in Spokane while we read about the fire’s devastation 90 miles north of where we live in California. As some friends marked themselves safe, others posted about friends and family members evacuating and losing their homes.
The young woman who stayed at our house to dog sit at the last minute texted to tell me that her extended family evacuated from Chico area and lost their homes to the wildfires.
Within minutes of reading this news and responding to inquiries about our safety, I read about the passing of my favorite high school teacher Mrs Lee, with whom I celebrated her 90th birthday party in 2016. Read my previous post here.
Shaken at all this distressing news, I simply sat and quietly wept.
We flew to Spokane to visit my mother-in-law we call Mama Hella. My husband recently heard of the passing of his Aunt (father’s sister) who lived in Germany. He felt compelled to fly up for a visit to see his mom and the rest of this family.
Mama Hella is 87 and lives in a care home. Her health has declined dramatically since my husband saw her a year ago. He visited her every day while we were there, and all three brothers got together for photo ops with her, perhaps the last ones.
It is so easy to take our everyday lives for granted.
I’m thankful to our family for hosting us on this hastily planned trip north.
I’m thankful for the last-minute dog sitter.
I’m thankful for the teacher who dedicated her life to educating and inspiring generations of students.
I am thankful for being able to see my mother-in-law, and soon my father at Thanksgiving and my own mother at Christmas time.
I’m thankful to God for my own life and the time He has given me to spend these last days, weeks, months, years with our parents.
As you share the theme “thankful” for Sunday Stills this week, what are you thankful for?
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives 
What is YOUR perspective? Please include your name if WP identifies you as “anonymous.