THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 19

I am thankful for the spiritual guidance and humor of Father George Foley at St. Jude Catholic Church. It is a pleasure to be part of the parish and its church ministries. 

THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 18

I am thankful for the opportunity to volunteer 

my time and efforts for our
neighborhood HOA. 

THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 17

I am thankful for the opportunity to have 
flower beds in my yard. 

I not only get pleasure from their beauty, 
but it is a quiet time for me to 
relax, meditate, and appreciate Mother Nature.

THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 16

I am thankful for beautiful flowers. There are so many different kinds and colors of flowers that I can not pick a favorite. Mother Natures' beautiful creations. I wish I had a place large enough to have some of each kind!

  

THANKFULNESS THOUGH # 15

I am thankful for several educators who motivated me to excel. Mrs. Bowman, my fourth grade teacher, took the time and effort to encouraged me to do my best work. Mr. Sebaugh, my high school teacher, introduced me to the world of biology which later became my college major. Dr. Cook, my Human Anatomy and Physiology professor, opened up the fascinating world of the human body. Sister Theresa Marie Braun provided me with my first assignment in teaching science, and she encouraged me to spread my wings as an educator.

I am thankful my parents knew education was the means of attaining a better way of life, and for working hard to provide me with that opportunity. 

THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 14

My heart goes out to all the innocent people who 

were killed, injured, or terrified by the

terrorist actions in Paris last night.

Today, I am simply thankful I

was born in the

THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 13

I am thankful for the experiences of growing up in the country. My family moved there when I was about 8 or 9 years old. Our new home was on forty acres with pasture land, 4 ponds, a brook, and woods. Dad always had animals, and Mom had two vegetable gardens, chickens, and lots of flower beds around the house. There were lots of outside chores to do, but I always had time to play with my little brother and to explore. I don't think I ever complained of being bored! This was where I developed my great love for animals and Mother Nature.

, 

THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 12

Grandma Thieret, Carl, and me

I am thankful for my early childhood memories of living on Holly Street. Life was so simple in those times. I remember playing tag, hide-and-seek, kick-the-can, hula hooping, roller skating, splashing in the rain, and catching fire flies at night with my siblings and the neighborhood kids. It was an imaginative time in which kids put on plays, parades, played dress up, and made mud pies. Mothers stayed at home and neighbors looked out for each other. Each weekday, a horse-drawn cart with ice cream came by in the afternoon. Sweet memories!

   

               

  

Gerald, Harold, Helen

THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 11

I am thankful to all our military personnel

for the sacrifices you have made 

for our freedom.

THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 10

Friendships are like works of art; some are masterpieces and have been around forever, while others are in the process of being created. Friends make the good times more enjoyable, and most importantly; they make the difficult times easier to endure. You know who you are. I thank each and every one of you for being my friend!

THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 9

I am thankful for Aunt Zita's influence in my life. As a child I was shy, and whenever she visited our family, she always made me feel extra special. Later in life, every trip to Florida always included a visit with her. Naturally, she would prepare one of her delicious meals for us. She had a zest for life and dearly loved her family, friends, and the Lord. I will always remember the time when she drove a pink convertible T-bird, and had a little "rat" of a dog that went everywhere with her! Love you Aunt Zita.

THANKFULNESS THOUGH # 8

I am thankful for our Aunt Olga (Bucek) Kurc. When we moved to Texas, she became our surrogate mother and grandmother. She had a great love for her family, the Dallas Cowboys, sewing, gardening, and cooking. We have so many fond memories of our time with her. Simply, she was one of the best and was a great blessing for our family. Love you Aunt Olga.

Aunt Olga and Cathy

THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 7

I am thankful for Momo Peg. Our children have wonderful memories of her. Our summertime visits to Missouri always included a sleep over with her for the grandkids. Their tradition included a trip to K-Mart for a board game, and eating laffy taffy and Klondike bars! Love you Peggy.

THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 6

I am thankful for my siblings. 

Our opinions and viewpoints may vary from time to time,
 but at heart, we are alike in our core beliefs. 

Growing up in a family of five children (me being the 4th in line), as most younger sisters do; I thought my oldest brother "hung the moon". He was fun loving and popular, a high school basketball star, and a teenage rebel. Since both of our parents are deceased, I consider him the head of the family. Even though he is no longer a rebel, I still enjoy listening to his youthful escapades! Love you Harold.

My second oldest brother and I share the "pack rat" family gene. I must admit he is 100x the hoarder than me; although my husband would probably disagree! I appreciate his role of being our family historian, and the "center" for family gatherings and my trips home. I enjoy working with him hosting our annual Thanksgiving dinner. We are like two little old ladies in our planning. My grandchildren love going to his house so the can gather eggs, play pool, and eat his country breakfasts! Love you Gerald.

One of my earliest childhood memories was when my youngest brother was born and came home from the hospital. I vividly remember watching my parents as they walked up the icy sidewalk to our front porch. Since we were closest in age, we were playmates. This is probably the reason why I was a tomboy! As the youngest he was thoroughly spoiled, and he usually got "me" in trouble in our escapades! Love you Carl.

THANKFULNESS THOUGHT # 5

I am thankful for my mother who instilled in me the love for flower gardening and sewing. Growing up I never realized all the different roles she played as a wife and mother. Her father died when she was very young and her mother had a hard time providing for their family. These early-life experiences and living through the depression instilled in her how to eke out the most she could in providing for her own family. Christmas still remains my most favorite holiday because of the memories I had as a child which was attributed to Mom making it special. Love you Mom. May you rest in peace.

  

My mother had a "green thumb" and could grow flowers from seeds, cuttings, etc. Some of her favorite flowers were irises and hydrangeas. I have lots of irises in my flower beds, but I am still trying to grow hydrangeas.