by Phil Sanders

This last week has been an enormous roller coaster ride. My mother suffered a debilitating stroke to her brain stem, which left her unable to swallow or to talk. We do not know how much she can perceive and understand when we speak to her. She cannot respond with words and usually not even with a nod or blink of an eye. She can move her limbs some. Mom has a high likelihood of additional strokes and could easily develop pneumonia. For her, both life and improvement are uncertain.

Thanksgiving this year will not be the same. We can only begin to think how wonderful God has been to us. We can see and perceive, hear and understand, eat and enjoy, talk and communicate. We can express love to our families and friends. We can use our hands and feet; we can clean ourselves. We can use our minds. We can pray.

How easily we take for granted all our blessings. God is so good to us and gives us so very much. Never, never forget the good things.

May God bless you.