Thankful Thursday: Folks

What would life be like without folks?

It’d probably be cleaner, neater, more productive…

and positively meaningless.

‘Cause people…

People are important.

This week, I’m thankful for…

…Friday night jewelry folks–two of my favorite jewelry ladies, my two favorite sisters, my favorite mama(!), two friends and a friend’s mama…all of us playing with jewelry

…Friday night fellowship folks–a friend and I at coffee, fellows from her flock and mine, giddy girls eager to see me and share their stories, giggles and covert glances at guy(s) over apple cider and coffee

…Saturday afternoon helpful folks–strong men carrying washing machines up stairs, red-headed boys (and girl) following behind, sisters buying tools, fellows offering to loose my bolt, a friend who give rides to get a tool that fits and then getting under the car to help with the bolt we still couldn’t get

…Saturday evening dice-playing (and hamburger grilling) folks–Greek-toe noticing men, glad-to-see-you-gals, girls on the dock, bell ringing fun, grilling in the rain with tattoos on her feet, eating on the deck and trying not to be overcome with awkwardness

…Sunday morning flock folk–passing my notes for my sister to copy, discussing creation with gals I love, praying together for the things on our heart, going over and into the fellowship hour

…Sunday afternoon steak-eating folks–gathering materials, buttering asparagus, seasoning steak with company secrets, guys grilling with an errant thermometer, guys and gals together digging in to much too much food

…Monday morning stand up folks–catching up on a weekend’s events, laughter and side conversations across the room, being a part of a terrific team, feeling confident about where we’re going

…Tuesday all-day traveling folks–residents who remember my name, others who love to hear about my brothers the Marines, staff with smiles, settling into routines

…Wednesday morning weights folks–being on the same page with the people I work with, having “Aha” moments amidst a meeting, talking about daughters and dates, daring to Facebook “friend” people at work

…Wednesday evening Bible study folks–sharing more secrets, studying the Word, spending time chatting afterward, subjects that take on a life of their own, “Latika”

…Thursday afternoon support staff folks–the nurse on one station who delivers reweights promptly, the aides on another who jumped to it and completed three weights within fifteen minutes after I asked for them, dietary staff who all pitched in to make things work when a cook got sick

…Thursday evening embroidery folk–jokes with the kids while I’m picking them up, food from their mother along with shop-talk, comfortable conversation with embroidery hoops in hand, waving good-bye after a nice night at home.

I have a full, full life…busy, yes, but good busy.

My life is full of people… people who encourage me, bless me, stretch me. People who laugh with me, who pray for me, who sew with me. People who reach down to me, who look up to me, and who walk alongside me.

My life is full of people.

And for that I am most thankful.