dishes put awaybrothers and sisters and parents
back at their own homes,
decorating for christmas and
preparing for the week ahead
but i wanted them to stay
dishes put away
ginger cookies gone all but one
but i want to
hang
on
tight
to this thanksgiving
tears came unbidden
during small group
this morning
(three tissues worth)
because
i want to
hang
on
tight
to this thanksgiving
but
the days, they spin on
the nights, they always come
and this thanksgiving is gone
with its dishes and ginger cookies
but the thanking i can't
set
aside
continuing to count his gifts to 1000:
425. packing boxes for operation christmas child with my family (pictured)
426. bonfires
427. s'mores
428. our small group
429. sons who wash dishes without being asked!
430. my husband who holds my hand
431. my girl, the one i mentor, who seeks wisdom
432. my mom who is a rock
433. 12-year-olds who think of others (read the story here)
linking with-
michelle for hear it on sunday, use it on monday
ann for 1000 gifts
i understand
ReplyDeletefeeling much the same way lately
i am practicing trusting and thankfulness and just living in this day. praying all is well and that you know His love and the light of His presence.
xo
This is beautiful... and I am blessed to see a glimpse of your heaven.
ReplyDeleteThe rhythm and repetition of this poem make this piece lilting and circular. I love it! Continue to give thanks!
ReplyDeleteLetting go of these beautiful moments is hard, isn't it? This morning, after a week of bliss, it was hard to jump back into the same old, same old. But God. Yes, yes, yes. He has more planned for us. BUt you honor the moments when you hold them this way, Kendal. Much love to you.
ReplyDeletebeautiful and dear to the heart...oh yes, to hang on...I thought today of a post I'd like to write like, 'what my mother would want me to know today' and the list comes easy...we can hang on even when things change:}
ReplyDeleteI understand too, I hope you took photos. I have so few family photos and it makes me sad now.
ReplyDeleteWe want to hold those moments tightly, don't we?
ReplyDeletePs: In case you miss the comment I left at Jen's it says this:
Kendal,
Done, but it's not just us in the car. Bring Carrie too. Oh, and Amanda D. and Melody.
You think I'm kidding, but we have a Pilot. Translation: Load it up!
Oh how you put words to something I struggle with every Thanksgiving and Christmas. The days seem to go by so fast I just want time to stop for just a bit and for us to linger over empty plates and full tummies. Talking and sharing and loving and pouring into one another.
ReplyDelete(You smores gift on the list made me smile...I understand that one too!)
"but the thanking I can't put aside." Lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is beautiful.
(visiting from Chatting at the Sky)
I love this. I wish I could stop, think and hold on a little bit more. You are a living thanks and giving.
ReplyDeleteThis was absolutely beautiful! I would love to just stop the moment. This was my first Thanksgiving without my daddy. I didn't know last year was the last. I thought often about wanting to savor the moment for fear the next year wouldn't be the same either. Stopping by from Tuesdays Unwrapped.
ReplyDeletevisiting from Ann's blog. Your post - and your list of gratitude - are both beautiful. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteYou've inspired my heart to give thanks today and treasure this moment!
ReplyDeleteLisa
www.moretobe.com
Beautiful. I know the feeling. I had the same this year. Life is so fast. Faster than I even realize.
ReplyDelete...lovely. Thanks for linking up with Tuesdays Unwrapped. Now I wish I had a ginger cookie.
ReplyDeleteAll my extended family lives up north, and we're down south, so I know the feeling of which you write. The time passes too quickly, and there's always a little sadness that remains after everyone has gone home.
ReplyDeleteI love this poem, Kendal. I really enjoyed Thanksgiving this year because I am so thankful for my family, too.
Kendal, what a beautiful tribute to the fleetingness of the holidays. I want to treasure every moment while my kids are little.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I've had those same moments myself. Precious, heartfelt post.
ReplyDeletethis is beautiful- I read about your girl & I love it- wonderful example of God's love- this is sweet too- and so true- life moves so fast these days.
ReplyDelete