God's Creatures

A FULL HEART

Dorothy Johnson

It’s the Friday after Thanksgiving, dubbed Black Friday by merchants. But that doesn’t concern me. I’m staying home while the rest of the world shops.

The house is empty for the first time since Tuesday evening when our daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters arrived from Atlanta.

But Thanksgiving is over, and they headed home this morning. All the rest of our children and grandchildren are back to their normal routines.



And it’s raining. 




But instead of feeling sad or lonely, my heart is full as I put away autumn decorations to make room for Yuletide cheer.

My heart is full as I wash tablecloths and a plethora of dish towels and think about the 24 people who filled our house yesterday.

My heart is full at the thought of two granddaughters lounging around for three days—9+ hours away from their friends who didn’t go out of town—without complaining, “I’M BORED.“ (At least not in my hearing.) 

I smile as I remember Maria’s words when I commended them for it. “It’s what you do,” she said. 


Indeed it is. And it blesses this Gran.


My heart is full for sons and grandsons who traveled extra miles to ensure we could be together.

 My heart is full as I think about the two grandsons and a bonus daughter and husband who couldn’t be with here. (Some years your loved ones are only present in your heart.)


My heart is full as I think about those who were with us in spirit while they dined in heavenly places.

My heart is full as I remember the bountiful meal, a true team effort. Ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, turkey, dressing, gravy, lots of veggies, and fruit salads. (How many pounds of potatoes went into the mounds of creamy mashed potatoes Betsy brought?) 


And the desserts. Oh, my. Pumpkin spice cake, cherry crumble cake, apple pie, cherry pie, sweet potato pie, pecan pie and pecan bars. 

You get the picture. 

You probably had your own groaning board.

My heart is full as I think about Terry extending both dining tables as long as they would go and creating a third table for six by topping a card table with a plywood circle, making a room for everyone.


My heart is full as I think about Maria chopping celery and onions for Grandma’s dressing, picking out pecans, and a host of other tasks.


My heart is full as I think of the army that helped clean up and return the house to normal afterwards.


My heart is full as I remember the laughter and the gentle rumble of conversation, along with the hugs and heartfelt thanks as everyone departed.


My heart overflows as I consider the ones who moved on from our house to other places for yet another meal so parents, grandparents, siblings and cousins wouldn’t be disappointed.


My heart smiles as I think about Maria’s college roommate making her annual visit for Diet Coke & Chex Mix after everyone else has scattered. 

Yes, my heart is full today because I know the same thing was happening yesterday all across our nation as people gathered to give thanks for freedom, faith, abundance and the love of family and friends.

I decide in my heart that if on some future Thanksgiving Day I should find myself alone, I will warm myself with memories of that lovely, wonderful day.


Yes, my heart is full today. 

And I hope yours is, too.

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 
2Cor. 9:11

Copyright © Reflections from Dorothy’s Ridge 2015. All rights reserved

Published by Dorothy Johnson

I'm a lover of God, mother of three, grandmother of eight, and a collector of friends. I like nothing better than talking, listening, laughing and eating with that crowd. My husband, Terry, and I feel blessed to wake up each day to a magnificent view of the Arkansas River. An amazing variety of creatures, from bobcats and coyotes to deer, bunnies and nutria, along with all sorts of birds roam the natural area behind our house. We also share our home with three silly kitties. I often find a lesson in what I see both indoors and out on any given day and usually find myself writing about it. I hope you'll join me in exploring the ways God speaks to us through His creation.

12 thoughts on “A FULL HEART”

  5. My heart is full, too. A week of grandparents here to keep grandkids all kinds of company, lots of food, and a week off school for my boys. Despite the rain, we're fine, and full of many board game/football game memories.

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