05/24/2026
Magnolia Meditation - on the eve of celebrating another trip around the sun, I reflected on the year while on tonight's walk. Our family suffered a devastating loss this past year, but I'm thankful for my niece Jennifer leaving us with a life lesson. Even after her body was eaten up by cancer and the side effects of "treatments," she refused to give up. She passed when SHE was ready.
I'm also thankful for having spent time with friends and family out West for the first time in over 10 years. And ice cream. I'm thankful for all the adventures I've had this year. And shrimp po'boys. I'm thankful for moderately-challenging trails. And BBQ. I'm thankful for a healthy year, with my cardiovascular system and kidneys staying relatively well behaved. And good local beer. I'm thankful for opportunities to serve my community and worship God. And seafood. I'm thankful for all my family, especially getting to witness my youngest nephew get married. And a good steak. I'm thankful for retirement and the means to enjoy it - and planning to leave some for family and worthy causes. And magnolias (ha - you thought it was going to be food)!
☀️ ❤️