Franklin County, Nebraska

For Another Day

I wrote this particular Thankfulness to the Lord on Christmas Day, 1981:

Christmas with my family and lots of company, and the food to feed them; for our home and the blessings of conveniences; a walk in the creek when the currants and plums are blooming; dinner at a friend's home; eating at Pizza Hut; watching cattle grazing; the feeling that you have done the right thing; the smell of clean line-dried clothes; my bed after a long day; the smell of Nebraska air at clover blooming time; taking Grandma Verna Donovan out for supper; a fire in the fireplace; Steve's nightly prayer; a cat sleeping on the floor; a soft spring rain that comes at night, which I can hear and smell through my open window; the jingle of Brian counting his money from his piggy bank while laying on his bunk bed; the feeling of a good days work done; my family all tucked in bed at night; all is well and my family is safe; Pat coming home from work at Jim Moore's place; the thought late in December that spring will come; time to sit and watch a robin look for food; snow for Christmas; the cooing of the turtledoves early in the morning; Pat always having a minute to pet a cat; looking out Pat's bedroom window at the wind blowing through the wheat in May; long drives to Lost Creek in the summer with time to relax; watching chickens feed; a good poem (Robert Frost's, "Stopping by the Woods On A Snowy Evening"); warm spring day with bright sun that warms you to your bones; the smell of new mown grass; walk in the creek in a set spring snow that falls quietly; the first robin— what a delight; Brian looking out for Duke—he likes dogs; my sons; laughter; getting up early during the month of December, putting on the Christmas records, turning on the lights, enjoying the sights and sounds of Christmas while having my first cup of coffee, before getting the boys up for school; the meadowlark's song on a cool day in March, which tells me spring is really here; talking with the elderly people, they have so much to tell me; watching the birds I feed on the patio; the snowbirds, the cardinals, the sparrows—they all give me pleasure, as all have such beauty; my roses in summer, because every time Pat picks up the vase and smells the rose, I know its worth the effort; a cup of coffee by the fireplace with a friend; planting the garden on a spring day; happiness is a letter from my sister, Sue; a project completed; Steve in his scout uniform, saluting the flag; I get pleasure out of teaching Sunday School; happiness is Rodney and Crystal coming for lunch on a snowy day; Rodney and Steve eating my homemade cookies—Pat likes decorated white cake; I am thankful seeing my sons' pride about something they have done; I love butterflies, and old people's hands—hands that show they have worked hard; the morning sunshine on the breakfast table; happiness is Jason Moore's smile; Pat saying after we have been on a trip, "I'm glad you are home"; happiness is the P. E. O. Christmas Party; glass jars filled with goodies; a seed catalogue in January.

I was thankful for these things in 1981.

I will continue next week with more from my "thoughts book" that I began that year. As we begin a New Year, I wish you all the happiest New Year. I pray God sends you the best of His Blessings. I thank Him for mine.

The winds is whispering a song
Among the empty trees,
And footsteps winding
Through the snow
Leave silent memories.
James Melcalfe

Rena Donovan, For Another Day.

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