Prose and Poetry: I Am Thankful For

By Sylvia Hubilla

Austin, Texas

 

 

Trees are turning into shades of orange and gold.  There’s a chill in the air.  Pumpkins are everywhere.  It’s that time of year, the season to give thanks, to count our blessings.

Where do I begin? Seventy one years…and counting.

So many miracles and blessings, big and small, come into our lives.  Some life-changing, some, sadly, go unnoticed.  Yes, unnoticed, because I have found as I got older, that it takes an open, discerning heart to see, and most importantly, appreciate blessings as they come… and let them in.  Only then, can they begin to work their magic in our lives.  We begin to see our cups half full, instead of half empty.  We begin to grow a thankful, grateful heart.

I grew up hearing my mother, Lourdes, whom we fondly call “Mamis” begin and end her day with her mantra, “Salamat sa Diyos,” (Thank You, God.) Every single day, without fail. She was also planting the seed, and nurturing, and growing…a thankful and grateful heart in each of her children, and everyone in her household.

So I guess, this is where I begin.

I am thankful for my mother, Lourdes.  I begin here, because this is as far as my memory goes. But now I believe I should go back a step farther.  To the biggest, pivotal blessing that set the direction of my life.

I am thankful for my God, Who let me be born to a mother like Lourdes.  This blessing is a gift from above, which gave me a head start in life.

I am thankful for life, which, though most often difficult, is made easier, by blessings of people who come into our lives at just the right time.  I am thankful of course, for my children and grandchildren, my family and friends.

I am thankful, even for the most difficult challenges, which I considered my failures at the time.  I recognized later, they were blessings of chances to make myself a stronger and better person.

I am thankful for yesterday.  I am thankful for today.  I am thankful for the gift of 71 years of tomorrows.  “Salamat sa Diyos!”

 

Thank You, God, for the sun ablaze

                                                            on a freezing winter morn.

                                           Thank You, God, for the full moon’s light

                                                            in the dark, winter’s dawn.

 

                                                      In the beauty of Your creation,

                                                            I find Hope.  I find Faith.

                                                                        I find You!

                                                                                                   Snippets

                                                                                            Small Book of Random Verses