Sandy Welch Thompson

Not many people would approach life the way I do, I am sure. But I’ll tell ya now, being thankful for every day should be a part of all of our lives. I forget that sometimes and then I am gently…and sometimes…not so gently, reminded of my blessings. We can’t pick and choose everything that happens to us and Lord knows I would have chosen to keep my folks around a lot more years if I could have. I also would have changed some of the decisions I’ve made in these 45 years of life, but then we couldn’t use that saying, “Hindsight is 20/20”. Took me years to appreciate just what those words meant. Anyway: To all of you that take the time to read my little blurb on life…Thank you for letting me grow up in a very blessed neighborhood and town and for allowing me the opportunity to return and reconnect to friends that made me feel like I never left the area. And thanks especially…Well, for my wrinkles. Yep, it’s true. I threw that out there. Please consider this a tremendous compliment. That is the way it’s meant. They aren’t offensive or disturbing when I look in a mirror. No, not at all! These lines on my face are beautiful reminders of how I have spent my life. They are like charms on a priceless bracelet to me. I have wrinkles from raising my kids of course. My husband David and I have three girls: Emily, Christina and Leah, so there are plenty more wrinkles coming I am quite sure. And, I have a few from losing my parents and some very dear friends way too soon in life. But I also have a tremendous amount of these wrinkles because of the life and love and laughter that you guys have shared with me so graciously, for so long. I have laughed and cried so much in this lifetime, what did I expect was going to happen? Duh…wrinkles! And the truth is, I am feeling pretty danged good that a lot of these happened from tears of joy, not sorrow. Can I get an AMEN? Some people don’t think they should have wrinkles. They do A LOT to get rid of them, or never get them in the first place. To each his/her own, and kudos to them for taking care what they feel is important. I don’t mind those old lines so much, I’ve earned all of them. I happily accept every single one of those babies no matter how deep they run. So thanks to all of you who have contributed to my somewhat worn appearance. Thank you for each tiny little crease I see every day and, well, those not-so-tiny ones also. Just take it a little easier in these next few years will ya? My bracelet is running out of space for those charms!