“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”
How can I not be thankful! I’m very fortunate to be where I am at this point in my life. Kristy and I are comfortably settled into our new house; a wonderful piece of property with a huge, gourmet kitchen and amazing outdoor living space. It’s a house I can see us growing old in. We are in a city that we love close to our family and friends. We have had a wonderful three and a half years of marriage thus far, and it’s only getting better! My job is going well and supporting us quite nicely, and Kristy was able to quit her job this past Fourth of July holiday. She has rededicated herself to being a stay-at-home mother with our five-month-old child. I am finally a father and Kristy a mother! I am so blessed by God and so thankful to be where I am today. I always knew I would look forward to the day I had a family of my own, but never in a million years would I have thought I would feel as overwhelmed with gratitude as I do now. Being a father is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me! We plan to add to our family in the near future, but for now we are content with just the five of us — Kristy, the baby, myself and of course Kingsly, and the new labradoodle puppy. Life is absolutely amazing!
Two years ago the above scenario sounded like reality, now it sounds more like a far-off dream I once knew. If you would’ve asked me where I would be today in my life I would’ve described the above situation. I would never have thought to describe a situation like the one I find myself in today. Our perfect plans are not always God’s plans for us. Do I wish the aforementioned reality was the one that I was living today? Absolutely. Am I ungrateful to be living the actual reality I am today? Absolutely not. I’ve a lot to be thankful for.
My life hasn’t exactly gone the way I planned it to. It’s taken a turn away from the predictable and headed down the path of the unpredictable. No matter how terrible we feel our situation might be at times, there is always plenty to be thankful for. However, we often are so fixated on what is wrong with our lives that we spend most time missing and failing to ever appreciate what is great in our lives. I am guilty of this at times as well. It’s often too easy to do. But have you ever really focused on all the blessings you have in your life and what you truly have to be thankful for? If not, try it — if not every day, at least on this day of Thanksgiving.
How can I not be thankful! I’m very fortunate to be where I am at this point in my life. I survived a horrible accident that should’ve left me dead. Instead, I am on this earth today and be able to spend time with those I love every day. I have an amazing network of support among my friends and family. I’ve had the good fortune of meeting several new and fascinating people whose paths I might never have crossed. I have time every day to reflect and pray, and not get caught up in all the meaningless details that use to consume me. I have learned to appreciate a beautiful day more than I ever thought possible. I have personally seen and experienced the good in my fellow neighbors and been the benefactor of their generosity. I have been put in a powerful position of helping others appreciate their lives and all they have; a position more powerful than anything my former career path could have offered me. I can go to the movies for free. You get the point…
Believe me, I still get frustrated and every day is not a picnic — just ask those who spend a lot of time around me! However, every day is a chance for us all to look at all the good God has blessed us with and be thankful. We don’t need to wait until Thanksgiving every year to truly reflect on what it means to be thankful. Remember, though, it is how we use those blessings that is the true measure of thanksgiving.
Thank you to all of you for your prayers and support! Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!
Scott
I dont know how you could handle the fact that one day Kristy will have children with another man and that she will go to sleep each night and cuddle and hug anothe where is her love that shw showed you when you took your marriage vows through sickness and in health thats why we get married and thats what love is ..
“The ordinary person thinks that he will be happy when they get what they need. The Zen Master is always happy. For the master knows that whatever he gets- he needs.”
Hi Scott,
Yesterday’s preamble to your journal entry, “Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving” is specific to the point of several family conversations we have had during the past week and one we will continue to share at our Thanksgiving table today.
Scott, for whatever reason God chose you to be the deliverer of so many life lessons for so many of us remains a mystery. Cruel as it may seem, we believe the answer to that question is because of the very special person you are. Your strengthen of character, courage, inspiration and strong faith are virtues not many of us possess in one package. You have been and continue to be such a positive and enriching influence for so many of us, some of whom you have never met. We are truly blessed for having you in our lives.
Back to the preamble AND yet another life lesson inspired by you Scott – our family has chosen not to receive gifts from one another during this holiday season but to deliver the accumulation of those proceeds to you. Please understand this gesture of our love and admiration for you in no way satisfies our debt to you for enriching our lives in so many ways.
We as a family have decided unanimously to “Stand Strong with Scott.” It feels so right to give back to you Scott. We trust that your extended family of friends will consider doing the same. Today is Thanksgiving – let’s all show it.
Lv, Nikki & Eric Leiter, Clint, Joyce, Nate & Collin Darch, Kathy Wood, Barbara & Bruce Wood, Neva Woolley, Dorothy Darch, Deb Adashun, Craig & Gabriel Darch, Lance & Lynn Darch, Donna & Mike Darch
WOW, What a story you have had! I met you at Nikki and Ericks wedding. You were so young and vibrant then.You still are but in a little different way. I hope that you can find a way to write a book, both past and present. I think it would be a best seller and an inspiration to the world.
Scott,
So well said! A road parallel to the “rest” of the world, and with a totally different view. Although I am not the one injured, I am right by my son’s side 24/7. We do the pain and the triumphs, the ups and downs. The sweet touches of a tremendously loving God come in the sneakest of ways sometimes…..ways in which we can truly recognize that it is His touch.
Blessings and hope you and ALex connect soon!!!
Beth
Gooble gooble!!!
You are certainly an inspiration to all who know you. You have brought home the message that Thanksagiving means more than just eating turkey – it invites everyone to examine their life and see how really generous God has been to them.
Also,as strange as it may seem, we should be thankful for the crosses God has given us because without suffering in this world, redemption is not possible. Our dear Lord proved that when he died on the cross for us. The great part is that He will always give us the grace to carry those crosses.
Dear Scott & family,
Wishing all of you God’s blessings on this holiday of Thanks-giving. Love, hugs and prayers.
Scott,
In this season of joy and miracles, I still believe!
Reading your postings has contined to be an uplifting experience for me and I marvel at your ability to be resiliant and positive! We all have trials we must endure, the difference is: how great they are, how we handle them, how we “come out the other side” and how we grow and learn from them . I know that you are just trying to go forward with your life, Scott, but you are truely an inspiration! What a special person you are. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of everyone who you share your thoughts with!
I truely hope you and your family have a joyous holiday season…
Leslie Hertz Firestone
Scott, YOU are one of God’s true blessings on this earth!
You are the motovational speaker that each and every one of us needs in our daily life. Our prayers are with you and yours to continue to find fullfillment, wisdom, strength and blessings to reach all of your goals. Keep your dreams out there. You are just the kind of guy that will one day be living them.
May God continue to bless you abundantly!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Nicely written Scott.
I can’t tell you how much this e-mail really touched me. I am going to save it as a constant reminder of thankfulness, blessings, and how GREAT God truly is.
I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. God Bless You for always inspiring.
God Bless,
(Bobbi’s friend)
Your postings often take my breath away. You continue to live as an example of hope and inspiration for so many.
Enjoy your time around the ones you love and who care so much for you. Thank God for you and your gift of words. Barry and I continue to pray for you and your family.
Thank you,
Fu
Scott,
I thought of you this morning as I read the news headlines of a young woman who was paralyzed after playfulling being pushed into a pool. Her “never give up” attitude reminded me of you.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/40312492/ns/today-today_people/
I don’t believe that your story about the house and job and baby are now impossible dreams. They can still happen, but just look a little different than you imagine them now.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving, and remember God has a plan for each of us.
~Melody
Scott, you inspire me. Thank you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hugs and Kisses.
Aunt Lyn
I am so very proud to be your mother. You and Lindsey have brought more joy and yes, some heartache, into our lives than we ever could have imagined. We are on a journey we never planned on but one that I truly believe will have a miraculous ending in this season of God’s miracles!
God Bless You and keep you close to Him.
Scott,
My name is Meghan Delaney. A co-worker of mine, Jeremy Bigelow, was injured at the c3-c6 vertebrae in early October and is currently at the Regency Hospital of Toledo. I visit his website everyday and yours was posted a few weeks ago.
Since then, I constantly read both of your websites and pray for your recoveries every day.
I am a person you would probably never know. I hardly know Jeremy. I want you to know that your strength and words of wisdom are reaching many more than you probably think is even possible.
I believe God has a plan for everyone. I don’t know what his is for you, but I do know you have reached a completely random person and inspired her to be thankful for all that he has given.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and know there are so many prayers being sent your way that you could not even imagine!
Meghan Delaney
I can’t remember how many times we have said “who would have thought…?”
If someone would have told me everything that has happened in the last 2+ years I’d have laughed.
Some days are good and some are bad, but they sure are not anything we envisioned.