Psalm 100:3-5

³ Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

As Thanksgiving draws nearer and nearer, I am struck with the beauty of the “plan” God must have had when He allowed Nick’s life to end during this holiday season.

Nick was a child of thankfulness.

He said “thank you” for even the smallest things.

He was content.

He knew he was blessed.

He lived a life of thanksgiving.

So, today as I hear football games coming from the family room and living room and as I smell candles burning with the scents of the holiday season, I have to take a minute to say “thank you” to a Father who knew that this time of year symbolizes Nick perfectly and Who chose to allow us to embrace this time of Thanksgiving in Nick’s memory in such a powerful way.

Just as Adrienne’s sweet little earthly life blossomed in the spring and then, like a flower petal slipping from its flower, ended so quickly and yet with such grace and beauty, Nick’s courageous and thanksgiving-filled life blossomed in the spring and then ended in the crisp, football-filled season of thanks.

Overcome with grief and yet oh, so thankful to be the mother of both Adrienne and Nick.

Missing them both so deeply today and anxious to share Eternity with them,