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COUNTING BLESSINGS EXPRESSING GRATITUDE | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | NOVEMBER 2020 | 13 An awareness of my own mortality, following a head injury, coincided with the stay-at-home order. Stay at home was exactly what I needed to facilitate recovery, post-surgery, to drain blood from around my brain. I have always valued my abilities and independence, so I had to learn to surrender to my frailty and to accept help. That help came from many, starting with wonderful health care professionals. My husband Boyd, my daughter Barbara from Ridgecrest, other family members, friends, and neighbors both near and far all showered me with assistance, love, prayers, kindness, and encouragement. Now that good health has returned, I am seeing more with "new eyes." I have more appreciation for friends and family and for all my fellow humans. I see and appreciate, even more, the beauty of nature here and around Sun Lakes. I wake every day with more gratitude for my life and appreciation for the fragility of it. I look forward to however each new day will unfold. I will be forever filled with gratitude for lessons learned in 2020. ~ Norma Manes In such a year as this, we might have to work a little harder to find something to be grateful for. Once we got started though, we found many things so here are just a few: we did not contract the COVID-19 virus and neither did our family members; we have wonderful religious and other freedoms in this country; we are so thankful for law enforcement, firefighters, first responders and medical people who take such good care of us; we appreciate those who maintain the flag on the top of the hill; we live in a wonderful community and are surrounded by beauty on all sides. ~ Bob and Marcia Gold During this month of Thanksgiving I wanted to express my gratitude for some of the things I am grateful for: my life, well no matter how you think, it is a gift. So many individuals don't get a chance to make it as far as we have. Especially in the year of the pandemic, we are living, surviving, and can dream of the future. I am grateful for my situation getting to live in Sun Lakes, our worst problems are nothing, and for my family and friends, and for all the support they all gave me during my recent knee surgeries. But especially to my husband Steve, who was a marvelous care giver, and my mother-in-law Thelma, for her love, support and generosity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ~ Raelene Kretchman I am so thankful for the outpouring of love, cards, flowers, and baked goods I received after the passing of my mother, Carol Warner. Each sweet gesture touched my heart, and the thoughtfulness of all her SLCC friends and neighbors meant the world to me and my family. It's easy to see why she and my father Fred loved living in Sun Lakes and talked me into moving here too. I would also like to give a special note of thanks to mom's caretaker, Pam Potter, whose 2 1/2 years of devotion and love to mom was immeasurable. ~ Robin Warner Left: My mom, Carol Warner Giving Thks 2020 has had many memorable moments, several I am eternally grateful for. Since March 18, I've been working from home for the church where I'm employed. I'm able to create the weekly bulletin and many other tasks from the comfort of my home. I'm thankful I have this wonderful part-time job. I'm also thankful for spending quality time with a dear friend while we study the Bible together. We've learned much thru the books of James and Philippians. Also, I'm thankful for the extra time that's allowed me time for crafting and making gifts. I was VERY busy during April making masks as fast as I could. A huge "thank you" to the people who donated fabric and elastic to help. Lately, I've been very "thankful" for YouTube which has kept my creative juices on "overload." I have just started creating "fairies in a jar." I wish it were safe to have our craft fair. Bob and I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful community. I ride my bike in the morning and play Pickleball with a great bunch of people. The good Lord has been very good to us and I am very, very thankful. ~ Nancy Sheets