Thanksgiving Day
What are you most thankful for this year?
As with every year I have felt God’s blessings upon my life in numerous ways but none more so than with the medical issues Wayne, my husband, went through these last several months. While I eluded to the fact that Wayne was having health issues, what I didn’t explain was how serious those issues were. In a nutshell, following surgery Wayne contracted a serious infection in his spine that resulted in 4 visits to the Emergency Room, two major surgeries, meningitis, and a partridge in a pear tree of other side effects. It is through the prayers of family, friends and our church that he managed to survive. I treasure every day with my husband and am eternally grateful that God gave us more time together. If that isn’t miracle enough, I was unable to write for nearly six months as Wayne went through this ordeal. Even with that amount of time away, I have still managed to meet my deadlines. I don’t know how it happened, but it did. I feel like we’ve had more than one miracle this year.
Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions?
As our children matured and married, Wayne and I realized it would be impossible for them to be home for every holiday. They had in-laws now and so we decided to celebrate on off days. For Thanksgiving, those who are going elsewhere come for dinner the Wednesday night before. This works well as Wayne isn’t over fond of turkey, so I generally serve a rib roast. The same holds true for Christmas. It’s time for our children to start their own holiday traditions so Wayne and I celebrate Christmas the weekend before as a family. On Christmas Day I put out a huge buffet and whoever wants to stop by for dinner is welcome.
With a busy work schedule, I rarely have time to visit a shopping mall any longer . . . with one exception! For more years than I can count, my mother and I were one of hundreds of Black Friday shoppers. We plotted for days which stores to hit, marking up the newspaper for bargains, setting a time table. When mom passed, my two daughters Jody and Adele have continued the tradition. It’s bonding time. We bond, we scheme, we make lists, checking them two and three times and then we’re off to the races, shopping until we drop and loving every minute.
November 23rd, 2017 at 1:23 pm
Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m so sorry for all Wayne has endured this year but thankful he has come through. Answered prayers, what a blessing. May he continue to heal and strengthen.
I am very thankful to have retired this past July and move to Florida to keep a new grandson. To be with my son, daughter-in-law and grandkids has added such joy to my life! Joy that was lost several years ago when I lost my husband. God does prepare a way for us.
May God’s blessings continue to surround and cover your family. May all that visit here be blessed and have a wonderful holiday season.
November 23rd, 2017 at 3:57 pm
Debbie I just love what you share and your Faith in God is so encouraging. May you and your family have a Blessed Thanksgiving and be safe out shopping. That is such a wonderful bonding time and how gracious you are to serve others 🙂 Merry Christmas and Bright as we are approaching Christmas 🙂
November 23rd, 2017 at 5:39 pm
I am so thankful that I had the friendship of a special lady, Nancy, for the past five years. Nancy was from the Midwest and didn’t get to go home for Thanksgiving. She and my daughter and grandson enjoyed spending the past 4 together. She lost her battle (and yes, it was a battle) with cancer in September. While it is sad to have the first Thanksgiving without my Christian friend and former co-worker, I am so thankful that she is now with the angels and pain free. Also adding a prayer for you and Wayne for better days ahead. I so love your books and will read the Cedar Cove series this year (as soon as I’ve collected them all in order). You are a blessing to all romance readers. P.S. Love the Dakota and Alaska series!
November 23rd, 2017 at 6:19 pm
Happy thanksgiving.i too am dealing with medical issues and
I am blessed.
November 24th, 2017 at 2:18 am
Happy Thanksgiving. I just read your last book and of course I loved it. I am so sorry to hear of Wayne`s problems, so glad he is doing good now
November 24th, 2017 at 6:11 am
Debbie,
I’m sorry to hear about Wayne’s health issues. Prayers for him and you going up. Thankful for you. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face shine upon you and give you peace.
? Sarah
November 24th, 2017 at 1:37 pm
I am so very for the health issues.
My siblings and I went through medical issues this year as well.
Took us each through trials of different types.
Some were the same but mostly different.
We’re 60, 59 and 58….. obviously not young any longer.
So, some issues are expected.
My brother, the oldest, at least as a wife and son who were all by his side.
My sister never married and never had any children.
They were in the same hospital on different floors.
I had to let them know they were both there.
Neither were allowed to see each other..
Hospital rules.
Me, I don’t live nearby. At the time all of my 4 children were out of state (different stares too).
My boyfriend would check on me. Friends came by.
I fortunately never had to be hospitalized. Although, maybe I should have.
I am probably the one who recovered the best.
My brother lost his job and is now fighting with SS.
My sister is limited in things she can do.
Through all of this though, we all agree that the Lord was with us every step.
We are very thankful to be alive.
Prayers are certainly awesome.
So grateful you had family, friends and Church.
I will keep you in my prayers as well.
November 24th, 2017 at 1:53 pm
Thankful for all God’s blessings. Have always enjoyed reading your books, but Christmas books are special and I read them all year long.
November 24th, 2017 at 8:04 pm
So very glad to hear that your husband has recovered. Our health is more precious than we sometime stop to think. My family also had its medical issues this year and with all that was required, I decided to retire. It is very draining, both mentally and physically. I’m hoping 2018 will be a better year for all. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season and new year.
November 25th, 2017 at 2:47 am
So sorry your husband dealt with all of those health issues. God was certainly with him. Our Holiday traditions are changing. We celebrate Thanksgiving at my daughter’s home. My son and daughter-in-love will be here Christmas day. I am still adjusting to changes.
November 26th, 2017 at 4:08 am
There in the twists and turns and ebb and flow of life we discover the mettle of God’s character and care. Praying for you two. Thank you for an intimate glimpse into your heart. God bless.
November 26th, 2017 at 5:41 am
Dear Debbie,
I have never written a fan letter in my life, but now am doing so because you are such a blessing to so many. We both grew up in Yakima a few years apart. I am about 4 years older than you and knew a neighbor friend who was a student st St. Joseph’s. I like to think that links us in a distant way.
Thank you for your inspiring faith, generous heart and your dedication to writing. I have read every one of your books, sometimes more than once.
God bless you Prayers of thanks are being lifted upon for your husband’s recovery.
November 27th, 2017 at 10:15 am
I am so sorry to hear of Wayne’s medical problems. I am recovering from neck surgery myself & having a very tough time so I can relate to what you are going through.
I just love all your books & is hard to put them down once I start them. I love some of your books that have been made into Hallmark Christmas movies & have purchased the dvd’s.
I would like to be kept in the loop of your upcoming books.
November 27th, 2017 at 6:46 pm
I am so glad that Wayne is on the road to recovery after what must have been such a worrying time for you all. May God bless you both in the years to come and I really hope that you both have a wonderful festive season.
I love reading all your books and they bring me such joy. You are a great author and your books always give me a lift.
Thank you so much.
As a Scot I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving but we have some Chrismtas traditions in our family: –
1. My Dad and I make our Chrismtas cake every year – I don’t like fruit cake so it is a sponge cake and we come up with a different design every year.
2. I make cookies every advent which I have named Advent Cookies.
3. Myslef and my parents go and choose our tree every year and decorate it and the house together while listening to Christmas music.