100 Thanks

By Patricia Henderson

This little book is my personal expressions of thanks. My endeavor is that it will encourage others to look within themselves and find their own individual thoughts of thankfulness whether considered small or great. Just pause to focus on the important things in life. A biblical scripture is provided as inspiration.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781684560752

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100 Thanks

Patricia Henderson

Copyright © 2019 Patricia Henderson

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc. 2019

All scripture from the King James Bible.

ISBN 978-1-68456-076-9 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68456-075-2 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Enjoying Life’s Journey

Life is filled with vicissitudes, therefore, all the things we see should not always define us. We may see helplessness, but our heart can feel hopefulness. For these and many other reasons, gratefulness, thankfulness, and appreciation are occasionally overlooked but desperately important. The power within moves me to gratitude even though times are as dark as the cloudy night sky. I share my personal one hundred thanks.

I have had despair in my life but realize there is something for which to be grateful.

1. Thankful I opened my eyes this morning and could see. Even though my sight is limited without my eyeglasses, I see the ceiling fan slowly turning around and around above me. As I become more and more alert, my eyes look to the left, and I see the chair and side table. The room is dim due to blinds and curtains; but I see the dresser and chest of drawers, pictures on the wall, television on the TV stand, the many throw pillows on top of the wicker chest, and most grateful for my eyeglasses on the night stand which enables me to see everything clearly. The world is a beautiful place, and I appreciate all the beauty it behold. My eyes never fill up. I admit there are some not so pleasant things I see in this world. If I cannot help to make them better, I declare that I will not make them worse. The unpleasant things do not impede my thankfulness for the sense of sight I hold so dear.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)

2. Grateful for the ability to hear. The city’s water department’s tractor is digging up a section of the street. They are repairing a water main break at the corner of my street, which is just outside my kitchen door. The tractor is making an awful racket. It lasted for only a short period of time. Maybe two hours or so, then the sound of silence return. I hear birds chirping outside my bedroom window. The sense of hearing enables me to appreciate both noise and silence. Therefore, I have appreciation for both. I enjoy laughter, singing, conversation but not all the time. Thankful, just as my eyes cannot be filled up neither can my ears.

Babies crying, children playing, spectators cheering, all bring a variety of various sounds. Reading a book, writing on a piece of paper, looking leisurely out the window, all have the sound of quietness. The ear embraces all these ordinary things.

God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalms 46:1)

3. Thankful I can get out of bed without assistance—on my own steam so to speak. I know how it feels to need help to simply raise my head off my pillow, turn my body, to slowly swing my feet out of bed, stand up, and gradually take steps to and from my bathroom. Thankful someone was always there providing assistance to me every time; not once did I have to wait. Someone was consistently there both day and night. My husband, my sister, my niece, my grandchildren ensured that I was never left alone. Every meal was prepared and brought to my bed, even if I didn’t want to eat. Empty plates were removed when I was finished. Pillows were fluffed to make me comfortable, and they helped me readjust my body for ultimate ease.

My husband helped me in and out of the shower and reach the hard or impossible places to clean. I could not reach my feet, my back, couldn’t lift my arms over my head. So to say how grateful I am to be able to get out of bed also includes great appreciation to everyone who helped me when I couldn’t help myself. Those same situations happened not once, not twice but three times. Thankful does not seem a big enough word. Never will I ever take for granted such love.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1–3)

4. Thankful my feet and legs support my weight—too much of it I am sad to say, but I have