Giving thanks during this holiday season

As the sun rose on a bright new day, our routine was not unlike any other morning. As we made our way to the living room, my wife noticed something that seemed to be seriously out of place. With the girls tightly tucked into their beds, sleeping, the living room was absent any movement. As we rounded the corner, one item caught our eye. There, lying on the back of the lounge chair was a shiny, rather large, chef’s knife. Not the small or medium size knife, this one was the big boy of cooking knives. Curious as to how the knife made its way from the kitchen area to the living room, we were unable to figure it out so we just waited till the girls could shine some light on the question at hand.

Later that morning, we asked the girls if they knew anything about the knife and Lilli gladly began explaining why it was out of place. She explained she was minding her own business in her room when she heard something upstairs. Not knowing exactly what she heard she decided that the safety and welfare of the family fell upon her, so she felt it was necessary to arm herself as she went about the process of searching for the noise she heard. When asked why she had the knife, she explained that she needed to protect everyone. As you could imagine, the thought of a 10-year-old arming herself with a knife, half her size, was somewhat comical yet concerning.

As we discussed the proper responses to strange events and the acceptable tools which should be used, mainly Dad, I couldn’t help but think about what the child had told me and imagined this little girl, scared, yet digging deep to summons her inner warrior princess to protect her sleeping family, slowly sneaking around, step by step, peering around each corner in anticipation to what she may see. As my heart turned from worry to joy, my mind shifted away from pure awe to that of a realization of how great of a turn my life has made recently.

The past few years, having the girls in our lives have without a doubt added excitement and joy to lives which considered life, already, pretty grand. With each passing day, we find that new adventures are at hand and rarely does a day go by that the antics and actions of these two little angels provide not only inspiration, happiness, and wisdom but likewise, continuity and stability to our exceedingly busy lives. Hearing the giggles and laughter, the playing, and even conniving, creates a mode by which we to find ourselves letting loose and enjoying this life a little more.

My hope for you my friends is as we approach the holiday season, 2023 finds you seeking out the medium by which you can find enjoyment, calm and a bit of inspiration. Welcome change and never neglect the possibilities as they arise. For it is within those same possibilities that we can truly fill the canvas of life with meaningful interaction and events destined to enhance our joy.

Richard J. Stephens lives in Carter County and is the father of three little ladies ranging in age from nine to 29.