Detail of a Raccoon in Progress, 8″ x 10″, Sepia watercolor on board, ©Rebecca Latham
For everyone in the US, or celebrating the holiday, happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. For others in various parts of the world, Christmas and other holidays and festivities filled with family and friends are drifting closer. I hope everyone reading had the pleasure of loved ones near for the occasion (or plans to do so in the near future).
Though I have thought about this post for some time, I never pulled up my blogging software and started writing. There are many things to be thankful for.. I am so grateful.
If I were to make a list, as I have a few times before, I would be sure to include my supportive and talented family and friends, for so many people that are moved by what I do that I have never met, the amazing people I have the opportunity to work with, freedoms to live, learn, improve, and work as I do. But this time I have a little more to be thankful for.
Earlier this year, my sister was given “maintenance” status. It sounds mundane, but for us it was (and is) something worth holding an event for. After being unexpectedly diagnosed 2 years ago in 2011, just after Thanksgiving, with a rare condition that threatened her life.
After an extra large helping of chaos and many surgeries (and fried many many nerves) later, she is feeling better day by day, painting again, and has medical experts at the Mayo clinic keeping an eye on things for her so hopefully everything continues running smoothly.
I can’t say that things are perfect, but I’m blessed that they are as well as they are.
As someone from one of my galleries noted the other day, when you want to know how rich you are, list the things you have that money can’t buy. They are even more precious when you face a moment of losing something or someone irreplaceable.
So to all of you, thank you. May all of you be showered with priceless riches.
“Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you’re alive, it isn’t.” ~ Richard Bach