As is our custom within the community of the forum, a thread for Holiday greetings:

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A cold rain had fallen steady for three days when the south wind came again to push the salty waters of the gulf up into the bayou. The dark and green depths were stirred and lifted to lick at the edge of the old wooden bulkhead, where they greeted the rivulets of rain like children, returned to a childhood home.

Here, at the meeting of living bayou and ancient soil, is the place of miracle, where water and earth fulfill their promise of life to one another. Here, is established the ragged and tender edge, of life in the low country. At this eternal labium the creatures come, each divided by ancestral chance or choice into separate elements. At this threshold, they gaze across into the shadow of past or future with unknowing wisdom.

This Thanksgiving, may you know the miracle of renewal. May your family return to one another as surely as fallen waters. May you come to the edge of quietude within your soul, and find there an affirmation of life, the certainty of future, and the eternality of love.

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-- Lon Frank (lgal@exp.net), November 19, 2000

Answers

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-- Lon Frank (lgal@exp.net), November 19, 2000.

What a lovely Thanksgiving wish, Lon!

I eat better than kings and princes throughout history. At night, I sleep in a warm bed, softer and more comfortable than any princess or queen could have imagined just a hundred years ago. I am more knowledgeable than the best taught scholars were, and best of all, I live in a time and place where all this is common.

Even today, the vast majority of the world live in hunger; cold when it is cold outdoors, hot when it is hot around them. Yet, they too find reason to be grateful. And with their reasons, I am also blessed. I have family and friends, times of joy, songs to sing and life to live.

Indeed, I am grateful!

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), November 20, 2000.

WOW you two!!!!! Those were beautiful!

As I'm thinking back over the past year, I have MUCH to be thankful for. Some of it is personal, but one thing I will share: I had a life-threatening infection early this year. Some of you know about it. For a person who is never sick, it was a very difficult time. I'm thankful I was not allergic to the one and only anti-biotic that will cure it. The alternative is death. The side effects (such as damage to the kidneys and liver) are very dangerous as well, but I didn't have ANY. I'm thankful I had insurance. The treatment was over $35,000. I'm thankful for the love, prayers and concern from friends and family. Most of all, I'm thankful for God. I KNOW He touched me! Happy Thanksgiving to ALL of you! (((((FRLians)))))

-- Gayla (privacy@please.com), November 20, 2000.

As I type this, it is 10 degrees outside with a brisk breeze, our new woodstove is glowing happily, my wife has given me some warm banana bread, I am sipping a hot cup of apple spice tea, and the place is dotted with dogs and cats enjoying the warmth. We have so much for which to give thanks.

And yet, we should be thankful even if we did not have these things. Food and clothing is enough for contentment according to the New Testament. We have enough to spare and to share. A shortage of closets means an abundance of clothing.

We even have friends we haven't yet met. Now isn't that something?

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration, which, of course includes actually giving thanks.

Grace and peace to you all.

-- gene (ekbaker@essex1.com), November 20, 2000.

Beautiful is right! Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving all. ((FRLians)))

Rob

-- (thesonofdust@yahoo.com), November 21, 2000.

Wow, Gene... that was beautifully put!

I am very grateful, too, for the friends I have but haven't yet met... you folk have all been a wonderful support to me through last year's uncertainty and this year's relief. Moreover, your humour and caring are gifts beyond price.

Happy Thanksgiving! (Just a few weeks late ;-)

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), November 22, 2000.

God's grace shines on us all. Family and Friends, Food and Shelter, we are truly blessed. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and "day after".

Nothing finer than curling up on the couch with my daughter, with a blanket covering us both on a cold morning, and watching the Thanksgiving day parade on TV. I went to that parade once, when I was 7 years old...sat on my father's shoulders so I could see. I still remember the giant ballons and beautiful floats, and I almost fell over when SANTA came by on the last float...I was a true believer, even as a young Jewish girl..heh. SANTA..WOW! :-) It's a great memory, still.

(((FRLians)))

-- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), November 22, 2000.

-- Gayla (privacy@please.com), November 23, 2000.