Burning Thoughts

What a sight Saturday morning.

We are just a few miles away from two of the fires and as homes were being engulfed, the sky began to turn colors reminicent of something wicked. Each plume of smoke carried with it the ashes of someone's home.

It was horrible.

Sure. People have insurance.
Sure. People will rebuild.

But what would you take if you only had minutes to evacuate? What precious things would you try to save, knowing everything you left behind would be destroyed?

Several families from my school, including one of my students, had to evacuate. Luckily their houses were spared, but so many families were not as lucky.

Makes you want to count your blessings.

Seems like everytime I get on my pity horse, something, or someone, reminds me that I should be getting on my knees and thanking God for everything that we have. Especially my family.

Visit Indy at http://imnottalkingaboutitimjustsaying.blogspot.com/. I read her post today, and it stayed with me. Everytime I felt myself getting impatient with Superman or feeling sorry for myself about something, I remembered what she wrote and let gratitude seep into all of the little crevices that usually house anger, fear, impatience, and envy.

With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, now is as good a time as any to try and be more accepting, more humble, less rude, less demanding.

To honor what we have been given.

To cherish those we love.

To embrace each other more passionately.

To forgive more gracefully.

With my boys looking on, I want to make mistakes with more dignity and love openly and honestly.

Maybe, hopefully, it will inspire them too.