With pride I acknowledge to the world my love for my family, especially my children. “Taxgirl” (aka Kelly Phillips Erb) is my daughter, my only daughter, born between two sons. The stories in our house are many. It hasn’t been all “Ozzie and Harriett” (you younger folks check that out), but it was a family trying to move along in time. I have always wanted my kids to feel special. Put another way, equally treated but as individuals. Kelly’s world would view this as “separate but equal” in Phillipsland. Now blessed with eight grandchildren, Kelly’s kids have cousins, I want them to know they are a blessed family. I hope they never loose sight of who and whose they are.
Below is an e-mail I sent to all three families on Thanksgiving Day. May it bring happy memories and fond rememberances of a caring family.
Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving from your Mom and I.
Take time to make a list of the things you (and your family) are thankful for. Get a different prespective of where you are in life. This is a day to reflect, and maybe consider a change in direction and attitude toward others and yourself.
I am thankful for:
My wife and your mother, a woman who puts up with me (who has always said I marched to the beat of a different drummer). She is careful and has helped managed what the Lord has provided us with, so when things looked bleek, the goodness came out.
My children, each and everyone, (they have brought much delight to me personlly, and some grief at times, which emphasizes the goodness more effectively);
That each of my children has a spouse that contributes to the love and well-being of each of you, that loves you; and cares for you.
My grandchildren, eight in all, a precious milestone I never dreamed of. Each is a new life and I an thankful they are healthy, smart (very smart in learning, and I hope logic too), they are good looking and charming. I am thankful they have parents who care for their well-being, can provide for their needs and many times over their wants.
I am thankful for the bounty that graced our table, the stability of a good home, the soundness of the structure that has protected our family through all harm and given us shelter.
I am thankful to have a job (at the moment at least) that has helped us into retirement with gracefulness.
I am thankful for our resources, (stock market withstanding) that currently allow us the freedom to do what we desire to live modestly.
I am thankful for living in America. No where would we have the freedoms we enjoy. I am thankful my children contribute to preserving those freedoms. Two sons who served their country, protecting America from harm from its enemies. A daughter who protects individual rights in the legal system. All contibuting to a better America.
And most of all, we must be thankful for a Lord that has looked over us, protected us, forgives us when we err, and offers us Grace and eternal life.
Your mom says she is thakful for:
Her family; that each has accepted Christ at early age; that each of you have been successful. She is thankful you each have good families and you have your own children.
She says “that is all she can think of at this minute”. Isn’t that wonderful wedded bliss? as Mrs. Kline would say.
Am trying to send all together, but may have to send T’s separately.
One last thought, what Thanksgiving do you recall when you were small? I can remember eating at Roy Rogers in Mahattan on Thanksgiving one year. Another year it was Chinese. Who says our family is normal. We all love each other.
With pride I acknowledge to the world my love for my family, especially my children. “Taxgirl” (aka Kelly Phillips Erb) is my daughter, my only daughter, born between two sons. The stories in our house are many. It hasn’t been all “Ozzie and Harriett” (you younger folks check that out), but it was a family trying to move along in time. I have always wanted my kids to feel special. Put another way, equally treated but as individuals. Kelly’s world would view this as “separate but equal” in Phillipsland. Now blessed with eight grandchildren, Kelly’s kids have cousins, I want them to know they are a blessed family. I hope they never loose sight of who and whose they are.
Below is an e-mail I sent to all three families on Thanksgiving Day. May it bring happy memories and fond rememberances of a caring family.
Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving from your Mom and I.
Take time to make a list of the things you (and your family) are thankful for. Get a different prespective of where you are in life. This is a day to reflect, and maybe consider a change in direction and attitude toward others and yourself.
I am thankful for:
My wife and your mother, a woman who puts up with me (who has always said I marched to the beat of a different drummer). She is careful and has helped managed what the Lord has provided us with, so when things looked bleek, the goodness came out.
My children, each and everyone, (they have brought much delight to me personlly, and some grief at times, which emphasizes the goodness more effectively);
That each of my children has a spouse that contributes to the love and well-being of each of you, that loves you; and cares for you.
My grandchildren, eight in all, a precious milestone I never dreamed of. Each is a new life and I an thankful they are healthy, smart (very smart in learning, and I hope logic too), they are good looking and charming. I am thankful they have parents who care for their well-being, can provide for their needs and many times over their wants.
I am thankful for the bounty that graced our table, the stability of a good home, the soundness of the structure that has protected our family through all harm and given us shelter.
I am thankful to have a job (at the moment at least) that has helped us into retirement with gracefulness.
I am thankful for our resources, (stock market withstanding) that currently allow us the freedom to do what we desire to live modestly.
I am thankful for living in America. No where would we have the freedoms we enjoy. I am thankful my children contribute to preserving those freedoms. Two sons who served their country, protecting America from harm from its enemies. A daughter who protects individual rights in the legal system. All contibuting to a better America.
And most of all, we must be thankful for a Lord that has looked over us, protected us, forgives us when we err, and offers us Grace and eternal life.
Your mom says she is thakful for:
Her family; that each has accepted Christ at early age; that each of you have been successful. She is thankful you each have good families and you have your own children.
She says “that is all she can think of at this minute”. Isn’t that wonderful wedded bliss? as Mrs. Kline would say.
Am trying to send all together, but may have to send T’s separately.
One last thought, what Thanksgiving do you recall when you were small? I can remember eating at Roy Rogers in Mahattan on Thanksgiving one year. Another year it was Chinese. Who says our family is normal. We all love each other.
Love,
Dad and Mom (in absentia)
Love to Kelly and her family, Dad