Feeling Thankful

There's a push for "Thankfulness" making the rounds on Facebook. While I'm not participating, it's been interesting to read what my friends are feeling thankful for these days.

However, today I feel the need to express thankfulness.

We're heading at noon to East Texas to celebrate the life of a good friend - a very dear friend and spiritual mentor of The Boy - whom, if I dare to actually put this in print, the Lord took far earlier than any of us liked.

Bob Mayfield was a very funny man (I only wish I'd known him longer!), in possession of a sharp wit and a sensitive spirit. He counseled generations of college students. His sermons inspired dwindling congregations to reconnect with their communities - growing and becoming relevant once again. And Bob was a great husband and loving father.

I know we'll move past this season of grief, but the freshness of our emotions makes me feel very thankful for having friends (and family) that I've connected with, have loved enough, to feel this kind of sorrow.

So, one day before Thanksgiving, I want to say Thank You for those who helped grow those little seeds inside our souls while you here. We love and miss you all:

• Josephine Alloway
• Marvel Osborne
• Mona Cook
• Leona Lewis
• Zane Martin
• Bill Davis
• Bob Mayfield
• Gene Woydziak
• Kyle Lake
• Jennifer McCallum