During the next few months, as we enter two of my favorite holiday seasons, Thanksgiving and Christmas, I would like us to offer a litany of gratitude for all the people in our lives that we are thankful are part of our lives. 
I will share people in my life that bring me joy, and I invite you to do the same. 

For my first post, I want to share about my older brother, Chip, who I have looked up to since I was little.   I am thankful for Chip for so many reasons.  Top of my list, though, is his love of life, his love of his job, and his support.  He is one of those guys that jumps out of bed ready to face the day.  I can remember as kids, he would always concoct some wild and crazy game or adventure for me and my younger brother.  Being with Chip meant we were going to have fun, we were going to try something new, and we were going to follow him in whatever he did.  Chip still has that same joy and zest for life, and it comes out in his energy for everything he is involved in. 

Watching Chip live out his calling to be a pediatric surgeon is one of the most inspiring things to watch.  For seven years, I watched him and his wife, Ashley, work so hard and make so many sacrifices for him to finish his five-year residency and his two-year fellowship.  All I can say is…when you see one of your doctors, know that they sacrificed a ton to be your doctor in their long years of training.  Chip’s resiliency throughout the entire process was driven by his passion for what he does.  I am in awe of not only his passion for his work, but also, what he does, which I appreciate tremendously as a mom.  Just last week, he saved an 8 year old boy who was impaled by a 17 inch tire iron.  The Dallas-Ft. Worth news picked up this incredible story…I highly recommend you go watch it!  I am so proud of him because I know he helps so many children and their families at scary moments.  And I know he is able to do what he does because of Ashley’s support! 

I am incredibly proud of my brother, and I cannot thank him enough for his support in everything I do.  He was the one that gave me the last push I need two years ago to start writing, and he has been one of my biggest supporters throughout this process.  These last ten years, especially, Chip has rooted for me to be my authentic self, which is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give me.

I am thankful to share my life with you, Chipper (and of course you too, Musick), and I hope you know how much you mean to me. 

Who would be on your litany of gratitude?

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.