The Paradise Family

As I know most of you have read this on FB...but we still have some people who don't "do" FB :)

And I might point out again..still no pictures of litle Elijah on the family webpage..just sayin'....

William has been in Colorado about 2 weeks now, and all involved are still living and I think he is helping. Blaize is enjoying the time immensely and it is really nice he is able to get to know his Uncle. Building memories...aside from helping...building memories is what it is all about. Frankie is still undergoing 'pre' treatment in order to get ready for surgery which has not been scheduled yet. In the meantime he is teaching William some mechanical trade skills. Apparently William has a better knowledge of how to work on suspensions! YEA! (whatever suspensions are (NO Frankie, you don't need to tell me, I am not that curious..I know it has something to do with how a car rides..LOL!)

Dad and I are spending Thanksgiving holiday in hibernation. We just need the time to do absolutely nothing, no paints, no molds, no paperwork, no packing, nothing but whatever it is we want to play. Cross-stitch, puzzle, tv, sleep, eat (whatever!! no 1200 calorie days at that time), just enjoy and appreciate each others company and take the time to be truly thankful for all we have. We don't do this often, but this year it is so needed. Thank you all for understanding.

I am not sure why we only have one day to list what we are thankful for..we SHOULD be thankful for the blessed things in our lives everyday. I would bet most of us are, most of the time...
As we begin this season of Thanksgiving and celebrating the life of Christ (which appears to be a merged holiday season these days..and I guess that is almost appropriate), lets see some FB notes passing back and forth about what BLESSINGS we have had this year. I know for so many of us, the bad appears on the surface to have overwelmed the good, but for this week, put into little letters on a small screen, the GOOD things that happened.
There was a wise friend many years ago that has actually shaped my way of thinking over the years..she told me everytime I was confronted with a negative event, immediately, in my mind, list 11 things that were good in my life, no matter how tiny. It took several years (read years..those instant fix people, years, for that to become habit and to help overtake negative thinking, but bless her..it worked. And sadly, I don't even remember who she was. A kind, nameless soul who made a huge difference in my life (see? you never know how you will effect someone down the road..make sure it is a good!).
SOME of the things I am grateful for:

1. my faith..a very simple, uncomplicated, unquestioning, perhaps naive faith, that God is so much bigger than I and that He ALWAYS 'has my back"...He has proven that (though there was no need) over the years, sometimes multiple times in a day.

2. my husband. A man who loves me enough to live. A man who doesn't have the above to rely on. He believes, but it is such a complicated, questioning, WHY kind of belief, many times it does not bring the comfort the definition of 'faith" would lead you to believe it would. I know God loves him, he isn't so sure, but would like to think so. This weekend, as he takes life literally one hour, one task at a time, I will have faith FOR him that God is once again working in MY life to protect those that I love. My greatest wish for him, besides peace of soul, would be that everyone know what a precious human being he is. He has made "that" difference in many unknown people over the years...he just doesn't know it...

3. my children. I cannot begin to put into little letters on a little screen how thankful I am to my children. I have one who is struggling with his own set of demons and I pray for him, as one day, he is going to have to confront those. Again, I have faith that one day he will and he will "come home". My children have always been there for us..when the phone call was made, there was instant response. We are welcomed into their homes for a day, for a week,for ??, for fun, for healing. They live their lives that would make anyone proud. Even our youngest who has made some pretty poor life decisons in the past and has paid dearly, has a heart of gold and tries so hard to be the person God is trying to shape him into. It is a work in progress (but aren't we all) and once again, I have faith that one day, his contribution to the family and to community will come full circle and he will be complete.

4. my in-laws, ex-in laws, step-in-laws, married to ex-in-laws...wow..ALL incredible people. Loving, passionate, FUNNY (I LOVE funny!!), welcoming, and most important, they love my children (or did..but that was not all their doing..). They are great parents and are helping to raise their children to be responsible, loving adults. They too, welcome us into their home without hesitation, listen to our stories, put up with our irregular lifestyle, help out when needed and share their spouses in time of crisis. I consider all of these wonderful additions my children, without hesitation. I am so proud to know that we raised chlildren that had the good sense to fall in love with such good kind individuals. For those that are still looking, waiting..God will provide..all in HIS time.

5. my grandchildren. 9 of them!! Some very small, some older, ALL precious human beings, being shaped by loving parents. Their lives are just beginning. The lessons to be learned, the experiences (bad and good) are yet to be had, but I know they are in good hands and will be taught and loved by the best.

6. my siblings...3 of them, and their children and grandchildren..we all live in different parts of the country, separated by miles, but connected by technology. They have always been so supportive of our family, been there when needed and welcome us at anytime. One can not ask for anything more.

7. my work family, past and present. I am SO blessed to have a job...not just a job, but a job I love. And the people I have had the honor of working for and with is amazing. For those of you who are cynical about government workers (I know..there are many of you out there :) ), with few exceptions, the government workers who work here in Oklahoma City in OUR office...your get EVERY bit of your tax money out of and then some. They care, they have a work ethic that matches no other, they show up and take care of business every day. The represent the boss extremely well and I am proud to be part of the team today.

8. my parents. Both are deceased, but I miss them daily. They both taught me different things, in different ways. My mother, like my husband, struggled most of her life with debilitating depression, but yet managed to teach me the value of laughter! My earliest memory with her was the "can't catch your breath, tears down the cheek", laughter at about age 5...the greatest gift she could EVER give me. It has brought me through many a difficult moment. She was a very strong woman, born into the wrong decade, but who loved her husband and children with a fierceness like no other. My father..you have read about him here in previous notes, I don't need to expand here...suffice it to say, he gave me my quiet faith and the inner knowledge that I, as a woman, could do anything I wanted, IF I so choose to do so

9. A small business. It is not making us rich, not even sure it is making anything. But it is still bringing in business, we still get orders and they appear to be increasing. It makes more work, but that's ok...hard work is a good thing, something lost on many these days. And in small ways, we are enabled to make a difference in peoples lives with this business, in our relationships with our customers, other vendors, etc...I pray it is a good difference and we are following His path.

10. my health.No small issue to be thankful for, but yet, for today, the last on my list. Subject to small issues, I am perfectly healthy, have all my limbs, sight, hearing, and thankfully, can even taste now.

There are thousands of other things I could list here, but why..when all I have to do is list 11 at a time when that ONE negative thought comes into mind.....

Have a great weekend..start counting those blessings now...and let us know..

Faithfully,
Pat