Thankful Thursday (on friday...)

Typically in my Thankful Thursday posts, I answer three questions that help me focus on blessings that I'm particularly grateful for that week. This week I'm not going to stick with the usual format, because this week has been anything but typical. Three experiences this week made me profoundly grateful. I'll share those with you...

• The first experience happened on Monday afternoon. I was getting ready for a wedding shower that we're going to be having this weekend for my youngest daughter -- doing a little gift wrapping with my radio turned on. Suddenly the news came on with a breaking story about the metro accident in Washington DC. My heart dropped because they mentioned that the accident was on the "red line, " which happens to be one of the lines that one of my daughter-in-laws takes to work daily. I quickly called her to see if she was alright, and she immediately answered her phone. Her sweet voice was music to my ears. My son had picked her up from work that day. I was so grateful that she was alright and so sad for the many others that were not.
  

• Monday evening our eldest son called. As soon as he said, "Hi, Mom?" I knew something was not quite right. He and his wife were in the hospital. Their car had collided with a deer and my daughter-in-law had felt the impact the most. The passenger side windshield, where my DIL was sitting, had been completely shattered and bowed in by the deer. It is a miracle she wasn't seriously hurt. At the time my son called, they were examining my DIL, but aside from a few little cuts on her face and a very sore and bruised body, she has no other side effects. My son and their three children were spared of any injury. Again, I was so grateful.

• Wednesday found us at Denver International Airport, awaiting the arrival of our son. For the last two years he has served a mission for our church in northern California. During that two year period we received weekly emails and letters from him and an occasional scheduled phone call, but we weren't able to visit with him in person. Can you imagine our excitement as we waited for him to deplane? Words can't describe. I'm so grateful that he is home and that he had such a wonderful experience while he was away. His mission was a life-changing experience for him and a blessing for our family. I'm so grateful that he is home, safe and well. (Here's a photo of him with my husband and our daughter.)
  

My gratitude has run the emotional gamut this week. Sometimes gratitude takes on the form of extreme relief for grace given and lives spared. Other times it is an offering of happiness and praise. I've felt all that and more this week.