Living Life as A Thank You – 3

Dear Earl & Connie,

One of my goals in 2016 is to hand write a thank-you-note each week to someone, and count my blessings verbally by letting people know how my life is better because they are in it!

How do I even start this thank you to you two?! 35 years have come and gone since I was given the glad privilege of being your back door neighbor (Knock knock) on Third St in Downey. I was a newlywed and, with the exception of Susan, you were empty nesters. Though I had other examples to help me understand what a healthy marriage was,  from the very beginning, I could see for myself how it worked by observing you both. I learned so many things that you were very willing to share with me from recipes, to housecleaning hints, to sewing and rug braiding, to oodles of card games, to sharing faith with neighbors, to holding on to material things lightly and people cherishingly by pouring into them and sharing life with generosity.

Thank you for all the things you have taught me. I know more than I would have had I not lived behind you for the first 6 years of my marriage. I am so grateful that you welcomed us into your home and called us “the Kids” when you already had 5 of your own!  And I am blessed by your “adopting” another set of grandchildren, letting Emily and Clayton affectionately call you their Grandpa and Grandma De!

I am grateful for the consistency with which you lived your life that you modeled (and still do), and for the faithfulness to your family, friends and your faith that is a rare blessing.  I know that if I need prayer, you will carry the need to the throne room.  Thank you for remembering things that even I have forgotten and reminding me of some of those little things over the years; especially since Jim went to heaven.

I cannot even begin to tell you how my life changed because we went to England together; it has been the adventure that has lasted the rest of my life!

I thank God every day for you both and I wanted you to know. May you know the love of our heavenly Father, the peace of life in Christ and the hope that comes from God’s Spirit alone, and may you continue to know the joy of lives lived rightly before the Throne.

With love,

Mirm