Thanksgiving Reflections
By Debbie B
The young man’s hat was pushed back on his head, revealing lose strands of roan colored curls. His father watched as the boy, unaware that he was being observed, chatted with his two older brothers. Ben smiled at the picture his mind conjured up of his three sons, especially the youngest, at barely eighteen years old, Little Joe Cartwright still looked much like the boy his father remembered from not so many years ago.
There was a gentle look of innocence to the young man’s features, yet unhardened by life’s complexities and misfortunes that was often the cause of a man looking older than his actual years. Joe hadn’t as of yet encountered many hardships, having been born at a time in his father’s life when Ben was somewhat more settled and successful financially than when Hoss and especially Adam had been born.
Ben recalled his eldest son as a boy. Life had been hard for the young lad, traveling across country in a covered wagon, often hungry, always tired, never complaining. Many things about Adam’s young life, Ben regretted, blamed himself for his son’s lacking boyhood. But as Ben observed, he marveled at the young man, so obviously handsome and tall, refined, yet a steady loving influence to his younger brothers, who adored him.
Ben laughed softly to himself when Joe giggled. It was a joyous sound that his father never tired of, for it was as if music to Ben’s ears that sent a vibrant filament of happiness racing to his heart each and every time that he heard it. His youngest son was a wild, untamed spirit that often sent his father into fits of anxiety at his shenanigans, though as Ben gazed out from his hiding place, he knew that he would not change a thing about the boy who brought him such delight.
Adam said something that caused Hoss to toss back his head and roar with laughter. Ben was fascinated with watching the trio. Hoss was big and strong, overpowering to most men, yet kind and tender in a gentle way that spoke of the love in his heart for family and friends. The gentle giant was slow to anger, quick to defend, fierce when threatened and swift to forgive.
They were so much alike in many ways, yet so different in others. Ben was amazed that he could have been so fortunate as to be the father of three fine sons…though secretly, he gave the credit of their births to the three beautiful women who had borne him, his sons.
Without realizing he had done so, Ben nodded his head. He had much to be thankful for. God had richly blest him in so many ways…he was keenly aware of his fortune, not in worldly possessions or in monies, for they mattered little over the most important things in life, like God and family…his sons…their respect and their love. He was greatly appreciative of each virtue that his sons possessed and tended to overlook their vices, such as they were.
The proud father stood silently, watching as the three young men disappeared into the barn, returning to the chores that held them duty-bound. Ben turned and started back toward the house, pausing in the middle of the yard and looking up at the bright November sky and marveling at the wonderful feeling of peace that had settled in his soul.
“Thank you, God…for all of life’s blessings…the big things and the small, but most of all, thank you for my three sons. I acknowledge them as a gift from you, an extension of your love…a remembrance of the joyfulness I shared with the mother of each one.
I thank you Lord for this Thanksgiving season, for granting me the thrills and happiness in life that make living worthwhile, for without them…my sons…I am nothing and with them I am everything. Because of your abiding love, your gentle grace, life has brought to me a deep satisfaction, a contentment I never realized existed, a success that is measured by the way in which my sons look up to me…may I always be a light that guides them, as your light has guided me. May I be a source of strength when they are weak, an arm to lean on when they falter, an inspiration when they need inspiring…may I be the kind of father to my boys, regardless of their ages, that you, dear Lord…are to the multitudes of sons that claim you as their Father.
Thanksgiving is a time of reflecting and of giving thanks for all that life has had to offer. I pray that my sons will remember what today is, and may they take a minute to reflect on the blessings life has brought to them. Thank you God…life has been good; you have brought me through the valleys and to the mountaintops. My sorrows have given way to joys; my road has not always been smooth, but for the crooks and bends and ruts I thank you, for in my weaknesses I have learned to be strong. Thank you Lord…it’s been an exciting adventure…”
Ben was just about ready to close the front door when he heard the familiar laughter coming from the barn. He could only suppose what those boys of his were up to…but he knew that whatever it was that amused them so, he was thankful, for the laughter was a sign to him that everything was well within their world.
THE END
THANKSGIVING, 2004
During this time of world unrest, please remember our men and women who serve our great country so that we are privileged to celebrate the upcoming seasons. Be thankful for the little things in life that make you smile…and for the people that fill your heart with love and laughter, joy and peace. Give thanks for family and friends, both near and far…for in life…they are the ones that matter most…HAPPY THANKSGIVING!