Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thanks for all things--big and little

It's time for Thanksgiving, and as ever, my heart is brimming with gratitude. I'm so grateful for the big blessings in my life: the knowledge that my Savior lives and loves me, the beauty of the earth around me, and  the opportunity to live in a free land. But I'm also grateful for the little things: a quiet moment in my office just to decompress and reflect on the day. An absolutely fireball orange sunset in the west to light my way home. And finger smudges. Yes, finger smudges.

Check out the photo below—it's something I'm so full of love and appreciation for, I can't bring myself to clean up this little mess.

The slippery, smudgy fingerprints belong to my grandson JJ, who had just finished a Creamsicle followed by whirling like a tornado around the main floor of my home. He squealed, gleefully, to a stop right at the window and braked with his sticky hand on the glass. I've been staring at that smudge for a couple of days now, and instead of feeling like I need to wipe it clean, I felt like I needed to take a photo of it. To keep it always and remind me that the little things are really the big things to be grateful for. When I look at that smudge, I'm grateful to have people in my life that I love dearly—messy, interesting, whirling, tornadoes of children and their parents, whom I love just as much.

Messy dishes, messy windows, messy anything is the by-product of love. And I rejoice at every wonderful person who is in my life, from my longtime friends, to my trusted colleagues, to the Consultants I admire, to my kind husband, loving children, and beautiful grandchildren who remind me every day that the littlest blessings can truly be the biggest.

May you celebrate this time of Thanksgiving and make it last much longer than a day. My best wishes for your happiness, and that you are surrounded by blessings big and small!

Posted by Jeanette Lynton at 4:06 PM
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6 comments:

  1. Sharli SchaitbergerNovember 21, 2012 at 6:03 PM

    If you could see me, you would see a knowing, shy smile! I, too, have treasured small things like a finger smudge! The smile is because I know that it's not the smudge - but the memory of the happy child flying through the room and filling it with warmth and personality! Smudges are just evidence that the child was really there and not just a figment of our imagination! Hugs!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your delightful family, Jeanette!

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  2. Casandra BennettNovember 21, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    Awe, this was beautiful. You brought tears to my eyes. I was thinking the other night how our children aren't little for long, and we will miss these moments one day. To have those chubby cherub arms cling to me and giggle in delight at the sight of me...it is a love like no other. :) Happy Thanksgiving!

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  3. Mary Gunn FUNNNovember 21, 2012 at 6:56 PM

    Same reason my mail holder is one of my kid's wood craft from childhood, there is a drimmelled "MOM" on my kitchen windowsill and my studio has paintings all from my kids.
    They were messy, but they were worth it!

    "Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest." Proverbs 14:4

    Thanks for sharing and all your leadership.

    Mary

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  4. Susan aka MimiNovember 22, 2012 at 6:11 AM

    The question becomes, "how long can we leave those precious prints on the glass doors"? I struggle with that one! I don't want to lose them - not any of them! It had not occurred to me to take a picture of the prints, so now I'll have to give that a try! THANKS JEANETTE! It was one of those "duh" moments!
    Susan Tomaino

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  5. bren November 22, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    I am so thankful for you, Jeanette. Who knew this little stamp company would become such a huge part of my life and extended family.
    I sure enjoyed the family messes and chatter today as well. Every little sign of smudges tells a story and I relish in it too. Luv you sweet friend

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  6. Amy KaminskiDecember 15, 2012 at 8:56 PM

    Thank you for the sweet reminder of what is truly important.

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