My lovely wife asked me if I would be her “guest blogger” for today’s entry, the final one before Thanksgiving Day. As it is, I have much to be thankful for.
Thanks to having a week off from class, I have found time to slow down a bit. For example, when feeling tired today I decided to do two things I hadn’t done in a while – enjoy nature and take a nap. I agreed with Becky’s suggestion that taking a nap in the hammock would be “the best of both worlds,” so I took advantage of a few moments of relaxation on a beautiful fall day. This restful time gave me a chance to reflect on those things that have brought me consolation, or a greater sense of God’s presence in my life.
Just being home this week has given me time to reconnect with those people who matter the most in my life – Becky and our two precious kiddos. On a daily basis, I witness growth and change in Brady and Abby that amazes me, despite having been a father for nearly three years already. I am forever thankful for any opportunity I have to spend time with them because I know it is a rare treat. I also know that before I know it, they will be all grown up and I will be lucky to have such great memories of their earliest years.
I am thankful that Becky and I have decided to just take advantage of our time together this week, instead of doing our usual routine of piling up projects and taking on too much. Sure, we have done a few things and will do more over the next few days, but we both recognize the value of enjoying the time we have together to reflect on our lives here in Georgia, how we want to keep growing and changing, and how we can grow our relationship with each other. I look forward to a few more days and nights of meals together, time to talk, and a glass of wine while winding down for the night.
I am thankful for the friends we have made here in Athens, including the ones that are opening their home to us for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I am thankful for the chance to pursue a dream, and the hard work that this pursuit entails. I am thankful for the love and support of my family, and I am thankful for this time to be with them.
As we head into tomorrow’s holiday, I encourage you to take a moment to think about what you have to be thankful for.
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.
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