--Wisdom / Virtue ~~

--"She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."
---[Proverbs 31:17] --

---MY wife, Pat, and I were spending Thanksgiving week at our son's home. Soon after we arrived, we talked about where we would go for Thanksgiving Dinner. Johnny said "What I would really like is for Mom to cook the things we've always had on Thanksgiving and eat here at my place." Pat said she would, and it sounded great to me.

Johnny had recently moved into his first house and eats most meals out. His kitchen was not equipped for cooking a big meal. But Pat gamely planned the meal and we all looked forward to spending Thanksgiving together. in Johnny's new home. The day arrived, and Pat was busy in the kitchen; the many wonderful aromas heightened our appetites throughout the afternoon.

Shortly before time to eat, we talked about how we would spend the next day. Each of us wanted to spend Friday differently, which led to some noticeable disappointment and family tension. before the meal, as we joined hands to give thanks, Pat said, "Hey, let's just have fun this evening--I cooked this whole dinner with only a teaspoon! We all laughed and the tension in the room melted away.

Wow! with only a teaspoon --words that added just the needed humor to recenter us. Words that also made me realize that I had taken for granted what Pat had done to make our family's favorite Thanksgiving meal in a kitchen equipped to prepare snacks.

--"Dear Lord, held us cherish the efforts made in love by family and friends that create the beautiful moments in our lives. And guide us to rise above trivial annoyances that get in the way. amen" ~