I Am Thankful . . .

Since the arrival of social media in my world, I’ve gotten in the habit of spending at least thirty minutes a day keeping up with my 1725 friends, therefore robbing myself of at least thirty minutes of creative writing time each day. If only I could give up this addictive stalking through Facebook, I could have my dreamed-of novel done in a year by utilizing those stolen minutes. Yet social media does have its benefits, as I am able to connect with people across the world, learn of prayer needs for those I’m not in touch with every day, and confirm my belief that the lovely Madelyn Simone is indeed the most beautiful and amazing grandchild on the planet.

Social media can also be a lifesaver when I need ideas for my writing. Take, for example, the “I am thankful” postings that many are doing each day in November. It’s fascinating to see how ideas spread, for with one mention on social media, half of the world’s population is twerking, revealing nine (or six or three) random pieces of information about themselves, or taking the time to articulate their thankfulness for life.

By listing the reasons for thankfulness, many have followed the counsel of hymn writer Johnson Oatman, Jr., to “count your blessings, name them one by one.” Here are some favorites from my friends:

“I am thankful for clearance racks and discount sales.” Yep, where would I be without my 30% off coupon and clearance sales?

“So thankful for my cornbag, which I heated and placed on my head and cheeks and took a nice long nap with when I got home!” What’s a cornbag? And why put it on your head?

“I’m thankful for Orville and Wilbur Wright. I hate flying. I white knuckle every take off and landing – but without flying, my beloved would still be on the other side of the world.” I’m a white-knuckler too, so I appreciated this one for sure.

“I’m thankful for our king-sized bed.” Me too, for even though our kids don’t make an early morning appearance any longer, it still has its benefits.

“I’m thankful for books, for reading.” After a successful afternoon at the library book sale last week, so am I. If I ration myself to one novel per week, I’m definitely good until the next sale. Thank you, Friends of the Library! 

“I am thankful that my husband is away. I know that might sound strange, but he is a happy man this weekend.” While this particular woman was thankful that her husband was doing something he enjoyed, I had an alternative reaction, as I’m thankful for the hours when the house is quiet and I have some alone time. Perhaps Thoreau went too far when he said, “I have never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude,” but I appreciate the wisdom of Anne Morrow Lindbergh: “Women need solitude in order to find again the true essence of themselves; that firm strand that will be the indispensible center of a whole web of human relationships.”

As for me, I’m thankful for friends who share their thoughts of gratitude by way of Facebook so I don’t have to remember to do it every day. By the time Thanksgiving Day finally arrives, those disciplined enough to write each day about their personal thanks will have twenty-eight morsels of gratitude to savor along with the turkey and pumpkin pie, and they’ve given me hundreds of thankful ideas to reflect on as well. For whether we’ve shared our thanks with the world via Facebook or not, the celebration of Thanksgiving invites us to give thanks for sunshine and rain, family and friends, freedom and faith, and much more.      

Since I’ve blatantly commandeered the words of others for my column today, I’ll end with a quote from Henry Ward Beecher, a nineteenth-century clergyman and social reformer: “Remember God's bounty in the year. String the pearls of His favor. Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light! Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!” A blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours.