Aren’t you thankful that we have taste buds? A moment in time spent with my dying sister-in-law often brings a happy remembrance. She no longer had the ability to taste food but nonetheless, after every chemo session she asked to be taken to our favorite restaurant where she ordered massive quantities of food. When I asked if she had regained her sense of taste she answered, “No, but I do have my memory and my memory tells me this is delicious!”
My sister-in-law sought in her cancer to, in her own words “bow the knee” to whatever God brought her way. As I have had to look for something ‘salty, sweet and just right’ this week I remembered her. I remembered the Lord’s merciful loving kindness to her as she walked through the valley of the shadow of death. You see, food was a great comfort to her throughout her life and even as she went through that valley, God gave her “a memory.”
“Because Your loving kindness is better than life my lips will praise You.” Psalm 63:3
Yes, today I am thankful for taste buds. And I am also thankful for this JOY DARE I am on along with countless others.
#178-189
Something salty – pita crisps with olive oil and sea salt.
Something sweet – malted milk robin eggs.
Something just right – Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.
Listening to Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon, a great classic, thankful for men who weren’t afraid to speak truth.
Listening to Pilgrim’s Progress, thankful for prose that delights the mind and the soul.
The sound of my own voice working on memory verses aloud and letting the Word of God sink deep and grow roots. Thankful for the nourishing process of memorization.
Sickness making way for time to stitch and listen.
Laughter in watching the pooch guard her porch from mountain critters, in particular that black pesky Elbert squirrel.
Laughter watching her get right in hubby’s CPAC covered face, hovering over the mask like she is saying, “What’s up with the noisy mask, dude?”
More laughter watching her ‘star gaze’ on a beautiful clear mountain night with the brilliant stars above her.
And a new kind of laughter bubbling up deep within the grandma heart as a video is watched of sweet babe making funny faces as she sleeps.
A warm morning on the deck sipping coffee and letting Vitamin D soak into my bare arms.
Thankful for three women on Friday:
~ a sweet lady that sat next to me in an Apple class, laughing together
~ a sweet daughter I shared a lunch with, always looking out for me
~ a sweet friend’s email showing her love
Counting my eucharisteos to one thousand ~
In Memory of Debbie,
who glorified the Lord as she walked through her last valley.
Take a moment, friend to savor a song that always touches me deep within.
Socks-for-Mum 
yes, taste buds – and the way you were reminded to be thankful for them. It was six months ago today that Sara died – and she, like Deborah – is still alive – REALLY alive – even these tough reminders – are reminders still – and although I heart being reminded – not necessarily this way. And of your thank you’s – my favorite are the last three “sweets” – they finished the post with a smile. I’m smiling now. God bless and keep you and each and every one of yours Rebecca.
OH this takes me back to my dear sister in law who fought with cancer and she too loved food. What a wonderful memory to bring to my heart. your sister in law sounds like she was a wonderful treasure. loved your list. Have a great week.
Beautifully written! Thank you for sharing!!
So great to visit your sight here today. I think I’ll poke around a bit, and get to know you. Thank you for your ENCOURAGING comment over at freedom journal, friend. Hope for the future. Joy in the moment. Many, many blessings to your heart tonight.
Thank you for visiting my blog today. I do not know what I would do without being able to taste my popcorn every night. Have a blessed week!
Rebecca, dropped in after seeing your post on my blog. Taste buds, what a gift! Like Barbie I love my popcorn every night, and you’ve got to have those taste buds to enjoy it. Have a blessed day.
What a beautiful song Rebecca. Your list is full – from the sweetness of new life sleeping to the sweet sorrow of Debbie’s last valley. So glad to have met you on the counting of gifts journey. What would we do without God’s Word to hold us upright? Hope you have a wonderful week and make sure to take enough time on the deck with a coffee, the Westie and that breathtaking view. It looks like heaven to me!
I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this beautiful song in Debbie’s memory.
I have a friend who lost her sense of taste a few years ago and it’s still hard on her.
Your list is beautiful. I sense your heart is as well.
Thank you for stopping by my blog this week.
Sending gentle hugs,
Tiffany