A Quiet Thanksgiving

"I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set aside and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."-Thanksgiving Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln

This is probably the quietest Thanksgiving I've ever had. With nearly everyone we know out of town for the week, Eric in Korea for a conference and Gabe sick, we won't be celebrating Thanksgiving with a big meal. Also, Cambodia is unusually quiet today as we observe a day of mourning for the tragedy on Monday. It's circumstances like this that reduce a holiday to original reason for celebrating. In this case, it's gratitude. And I do feel gratitude. Yesterday I was feeling very alone as I cared for Gabe who was very ill and worried about how I would get him to the doctor or get more medicine if I needed to. I worried about who would help me if I got sick as our neighbors and closest friends are out of town. But then both Eric's and my parents called and promised to pray and one of the few friends left in town dropped by with some Sprite for Gabe. Today, I woke up feeling grateful: grateful that I feel fine, grateful that Gabe is feeling a bit better, grateful for the prayers. I also feel grateful that no one I know or love died on Monday. And I'm grateful for family and good friends, two (mostly) healthy kids and a good God. So this morning I sat with the kids and thanked God for all He does for us. It was a good Thanksgiving.