Ten Things of Thankful - Week 48, 2017

The festive image above says simply "I am grateful" in white typewriter font letters on a background that is awash with a bright left to right sweep of turquoise, blue, green, pink, red, and purple streaks that are covered in sparkles. The image is borrowed from AndreaReiser.com*

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Well, here I am at nearly the eleventh hour on Tuesday again, that seems to be a reoccurring theme, but just as the quote above says, I am truly grateful for all that has transpired in recent days and weeks, even if at times I grumble about life being too busy and my days too full. 

Typically I list as many little reasons that I am grateful here as large ones, because I think the little ones make up the stuff of life that gives us encouragement and hope. But tonight I want to share just one REALLY BIG reason that I had to be thankful this week. It is such a special occurrence and has so much meaning in my life that it deserves to be a TToT post of it's own. If you are a reader of my main blog, you already know what I'm talking about, but if not... let me explain.

Back in September of 2013 I wrote a short story called Wild Child and illustrated it with an etching by Don LaForte. In the following post entitled A Note About This Sketch I provided information about this print and it's meaning to me, and how it went missing. 

I have searched long and hard to replace the print for many years, always reaching dead ends. But, lo and behold, the Universe moved in my favor near the end of October and in the days and weeks since then things fell in place for this beautiful little girl to finally make it's way home to me... after forty long years, and  all the way from Canada!!  Here she is, newly matted and framed and hanging in a place of honor where I can see her every day... she truly takes my breath away. 

This image is of a framed sepia-toned print made from an etching by indigenous Canadian artist Don LaForte in 1970 entitled "Trust". It depicts the face of  a young native child half-hidden behind a strong arm reaching downward, with her small hand holding tightly to the larger one. The little girl's gaze is intense, her long hair a bit wild and unruly, and one cannot be sure if her look is one of uncertainty or knowing.  For me, it is the latter. The large print is simply matted in shades that match the vanilla colored poster paper the print is made on, and it's 24"x28" wood frame is plain and dark brown. I wanted to focus to be on the image rather than the presentation. 

Rather than rewrite this wonderful update here, I'll provide a link to my main blog that tells you all about it. The post is called Full Circle and it is without a doubt the most joyful post I've ever had the occasion to write. If you have the time to read these three linked posts I can promise you'll end up smiling! Once again, God has blessed me beyond measure, and something I thought would never happen in my lifetime has come to pass. Once again, my theme repeats... never give up hope, there is always hope!

As we begin this month and move into the holiday season may your life be filled with hope and joy that far outshines any of the stresses and sadness that might be lurking in the corners. The ultimate gift of Love and Hope is what this season is all about!
 

Blessings to you in the days ahead... Look for reasons to be thankful in your life, and remember to be a blessing to someone else!

 

The above photo is a click-button to the TToT link-up. It is photo of one of our beautiful Texas sunsets with blue still peeking through the clouds; yellow, orange and pink bands around the remaining sliver of bright sun, and a wide band of black earth below it on which I've written Ten Things of Thankful.*

* Descriptions of the included photos are being provided for those who may be unable to view the illustrations.