Yes, November is a Symbol of Gratitude & My Birthday Month.
Actually today is my birthday and I can not help but reflect on my life and all the blessings and joy I have experienced.
As many of you know, I had Pancreatic Cancer and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ brought me through all the months and months of chemo and radiation, plus a 12 hour Whipple Surgery to this wonderful point in my life today.
I am truly Blessed as I celebrate yet another birthday.
Some people think of November as cold, dull and dreary, whereas I love the Fall and the Autumn season as I believe it extends right up to Thanksgiving.
It is true that in the Midwest where I am originally from, November is a time when the evenings cool down a bit, the beautiful birds are departing for warmer climates and the tree limbs are shedding their leaves with each windy day.
Perhaps those few remaining flowers in the flower garden are no longer standing proud and tall, but are rather yellow-ish stalks sprawling in all directions on a wet carpet of leaves.
However, there are also calm and beautiful days with yellow, orange and crimson sunsets.
November is a time when the wheat, corn and milo have been harvested, and families sit down together to be thankful.
Perhaps it is because it is my birth month, but I try to look at November as a symbol of the year coming to a close and a time of reflection on what we have learned throughout the past 10 months.
A renewal of sorts.
Yes, there are chilly, frosty and sometimes foggy mornings due to the changing weather patterns.
But I love watching the bright red cardinals at the feeders and the scampering squirrels as they search for nuts to hide for the coming Winter.
I like to walk among the leaves as they rustle under my feet.
I like to see the homes with fireplaces, and watch as the curls of smoke drift up from the chimney and into the clear blue skies.
And I like to smell the aroma of comfort foods simmering on the stove or pumpkin and apple pies cooling on the counter as a turkey roasts in the oven.
The month of November is a symbol of gratitude.
For hundreds of years, people have celebrated the end of the harvests in November and gathered with loved ones to count their blessings.
And that is what I do too!
No matter what the world of today is going through and it is certainly bad; we have to remember that God is in control and to Him 1000 years is like a day so we must not be impatient.
Psalm 37:7. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
We must pray for everyone and for everything.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
I hope you reflect on your many Blessings as you gather with your family this November.
I am thankful that I am here for yet another birthday and that I have such a loving family and friends.
I am thankful for you and wish you a wonderful end of harvest time.
I wish you an abundant November filled with fun and laughter and Thanksgiving.
Hugs and Blessings.
Kari, first of all, Happy Belated Birthday Blessings to you, friend. Your journey is one I think of often, as I feel as though I was witness to God’s miracle of your healing. It is a testament to how faith brings us through the darkest of any situations imaginable.
I love your reflection on not only your birthday, but on November’s blessings. I feel like November is still such a beautiful month, amd this year’s has been especially so. Our weather has been so gorgeous, and I just love walking every day just to admire the beauty. It’s a time after garden chores are complete, and yet I can still piddle around the landscape and see new growth already after cutting back (because our weather has been so gorgeous.octiver seems so busy, but I November can be the break before the Chrostmas holiday season.
Enjoy your Thankagiving with family.
Hugs,
Rita
Thanks for stopping by Rita and I have always loved November as a special time of the year…I especially love the haunting melody of the song “November Rain” and anything that has November in it. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving dear friend.
Sweet birthday wishes to you dear, Kari. You are such an inspiration. I love the scripture and the quotes that you chose. Along with your November blessings, I would add the start of KU basketball season.
Thank you Jan and I am a bit bleary eyed after staying up so late watching the Kansas Jayhawks and Kentucky Wildcats game last night. Because of the time zone, we here in Florida had a start time of 9:30-ish. I was a little worried but the Jayhawks pulled it off. Rock Chalk JayHawk!!! Have a great Thanksgiving my friend.
Dear Kari,
Happy birthday, and I’m sorry I was early with my birthday wishes yesterday. Yes, you are a miracle and miracles will keep coming for you.
I love fall and the beautiful colors of the season.
Saturday, I received difficult news. My best friend from high school had died. She had had pancreatic cancer and survived (something much like yours), but recently they had a spot on one lung, and it was cancer. They were going to give her radiation, but she didn’t make it to the start. Mary lived in Canada (Calgary). She had married a Canadian who had been in our U.S. Navy. She had been back here, and I had been to visit her. Her grandson, Nicky, called to tell me she died at 2:50 p.m. Saturday. It was sudden, but her daughter, Lisa and all of her grandchildren were with her. I had just talked to her a few days before.
It just shows we must be prepared for we never know when it’s our time.
Love you,
Sandy
Oh Sandy I am so sorry to hear about your friend…you are right one never knows when our time is up on this earth. That is why John 3:16 is so very important. Prayers for Mary and her family in Calgary, and for you and Ron. Stay healthy my friend. And you were right my birthday was the 13th, I was late in posting.
LOL I’ll move the date back on the calendar. Thank you, Kari. Yes, John 3:16 is very important.
Happy Birthday sweet Kari! You are a champion, and you won life’s most important battle! I loved reading your wise words and the beautiful fall quotes…
💕 Jenna
Jenna I am so Blessed to have blogger friends such as you. You are an inspiration in so many ways, and I appreciate your many talents and all your encouragement. Thank you my friend. Hugs and Blessings to you and yours.
Have a great birthday. Take care
Love
Dee
Dee
Thanks DeeDee….I hope your Thanksgiving is special as you gather round your family. Hugs
Happy Birthday dear Kari,
You surely brought the beauty of this season to my attention in a new way. I’m sometimes a bit gloomy at this time of year. Here in Ireland the darkness descends at 4.30 and it can be cold, with wind and rain. Also in Catholic church we have All Saints Day and All Souls Day at beginning of November and it is the month we remember our dead, so can be a sad time. But right now the sun is shining and the autumn leaves are red and gold and it’s Kari’s birthday, so I’m not gloomy and am thanking God for your life and my life.
Oh Mags, I am happy to hear you are looking at the brighter days. Everytime I think of you…which is quite often, I think of beautiful Ireland with the lush rolling fields of green, rugged coasts and glassy lakes… but mostly I think of the lovely people, such as yourself and I smile in gratitude to have a friend like you. Hugs and Blessings my friend and perhaps you will think of me come next November….and you will smile.
Beautifully written Kari ! It helps to see fall in a
special way !
Thanks Marie and I know it is difficult for you…especially around the Holidays when your loved one is no longer here on earth. This may sound a bit odd, but I smile and Thank God that when Everett died…he died a few days before Memorial Day which seemed an appropriate time (if there is such a thing) because it is a time when we remember those who have passed. I feel the pain of those who lose loved ones close to celebration Holidays as it must be more difficult. Prayers for you as you remember John and what a wonderful husband, father and friend he was. Hugs my friend.
Another year with loved ones is always a blessing. Mega hugs from across the pond and Happy Birthday honey xx
Thank you my dear friend. No matter the miles across the pond, or where ever life takes us…we will always be friends. I wish you and your wonderful family the best of November AND the upcoming
Christmas Season in Merry ole’ England. Love and hugs always
Happy birthday to my sweet friend! I also love the month of November for the reasons you so beautifully have written. You are definitely a miracle and I am thankful to call you friend! God is faithful and His mercies are new every morning!
Sending love and hugs on your birthday, Kari! ♥️🎂🎵🤗
Pam, you are such a treasure to me and I thank God for you. (Philippians 1: 3,4) Those verses in 3 and 4 truly speak my heart. Have a wonderful November as we “Fall and Autumn girls” celebrate life together.
Blessings and hugs