How Do I Say, "Thanks"?

What would be the proper way to say, "Thank you" to people who are special in your life? How do you let them know how special they are to you? Words aren't sufficient. Gifts would be inappropriate. But, I need them to know they're special to me and have blessed my life.

People don't have to be in your life for twenty, forty or fifty years to be special and important, accepted as family. You don't even have to see them everyday to love them. You just do. That's what my friend Ceecee and her family have come to mean to me. I haven't known them long, don't have to, to be able to love them like I do. One common event brought us together, the death of our spouses. This alone, can almost "take you out" trying to get through each day without the one you loved. It's a hard thing to have to come to grips with the fact they are gone and you have to go on without them and you have to figure out things all by yourself.

Days hurt us. Nights hurt even more. Being around others is not necessarily a pleasant thing for us but we keep going. When I try to encourage her, she blesses me. I had been praying these heavy days would become lighter and lighter for her and still do.

A recent health-related event has brought us closer. Her son was diagnosed with a health challenge that could have taken his life. However, the Lord had other plans and I'm so thankful. I was concerned that had her son not pulled through this, it could have been very devastating to her and her other children and family members. But, God is able and He blessed her son to make it through a huge hurdle in his life.

I thank my friend for allowing me to be there and do my ministry the Lord gave to me. It's the Ministry of Presence. What a blessing to do this ministry. Nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary, just being present. I thank God for this ministry that only He could have given me. I'm a helper by nature, having worked in the healthcare field for many years, especially in the Intensive Care Areas. I have seen the sufferings of so many families and have been able to be a part of the team that helped their family members. If one works in the ICUs long enough, this can take a toll on a person like me. So, to do the Ministry of Presence is a special blessing to me. I am not working on the family members anymore but am able to understand and often explain what is happening to loved ones.

So, I hope in some small way I have been able to be a contribution and help to my friend. I hope in some small way, my presence has helped. I hope in some small way, her load has seemed lighter just because I was available. I hope in some small way God has been pleased. See, we don't always have to be doing something to help others. Sometimes, just being present speaks volumes, particularly when there might already be so many others around.

So, on this Thanksgiving Eve, I thank God for ALL His blessings and the fact that in some small way, I am able to say, "Thanks" to my friend, Ceecee, for allowing me to do my Ministry of Presence and be so blessed by her. I love you, Ceecee.