Ascension : Grotto News -Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 04.10.2007 (Article Archived on 18.10.2007)

had a different message for this week, but I’ll keep it for another week. As I spent the evening in the Grotto, watching the sun go down,

I had a different message for this week, but I’ll keep it for another week.  As I spent the evening in the Grotto, watching the sun go down, I was again reminded of just how lucky I am to be in this wonderful place.  It started me thinking about the many blessings in my life, and how I often I forget to be as grateful and thankful as I should be for all of them.  I decided that I would try to name ten blessings. 

First, I’d have to name my parents.  They were wonderful people, not perfect, not even perfect parents, but my own experiences have taught me that perfection is highly overrated.  Real emotions and experiences are more important anytime.  My parents taught me to think for myself, to be responsible, to have faith in a greater being, to know that my life will unfold as it should, but to work at it at the same time.  They taught me respect, gave me a love of adventure, and I think, showed me how to be a good person. 

My brothers would have to be next in the list since they grew up with me.  My not quite two years older brother was a wonderful teacher in the art of patience – his, with a more gregarious younger sister who I am pretty sure was a pain in the neck most of the time!  When I needed someone to hold me together when my life was falling apart six years ago, there he was, as protective and loving as ever.  Our much younger brother gave me a living baby doll to play with, amuse, and love like nothing else.

The rest of my extended family, with all its funny, interesting and eccentric people, have been a blessing in so many ways.  I had fantastic grandparents who lived in a perfect place to spend our summers, a country atmosphere that allowed us to exercise our imaginations, and build friendships with far flung cousins.  There were the cousins we spent every summer with, and those who passed through for a brief time to share our secret worlds.  There were many aunts and uncles, some I loved, some who intimidated me, but mine all the same.

I moved a lot as a child, which some may look on as a curse, but I realize now that it was a blessing in its own way, even though I chose not to repeat the experience with my children.  Like many of the children who pass through Ascension for a few brief years, moving teaches you how to make friends, and gives you the opportunity to experience much more of the big world around you.  It gave me the security of knowing that no matter where I went, I could fit in.

My children have been my greatest blessing of all.  They were fun as little children, inquisitive, one shy, one outgoing, one a little of both.  They were a joy, although like all truthful parents, there were times when I felt overwhelmed.  Being a parent teaches you one very important lesson…..you can and will survive anything…the late night feedings, the colds, fevers and other illnesses, the endless questions, the temper tantrums, the sibling rivalries, all those life’s lessons we need to learn growing up.  The rewards are so great, the smiles, the sticky hugs, the pictures to hang on the refrigerator doors, the handmade gifts that we will cherish forever.  And if we are really lucky, they grow into adults that we both love and like!

I thank God that I was blessed to find a career that I love.  I chose the laboratory as a second choice to another that wasn’t going to be possible.  I realize that this was truly a blessing.  I have loved every minute of my career, one that has allowed me, I believe, to make a difference.  Even the twists and turns along my career path that didn’t seem fair at the time, I now realize were part of a bigger plan, one that led me here to Ascension. 

I have been blessed by some very special friends in my life.  Especially in my most difficult time a few years ago, I discovered that I had friends who were there to support me, encourage me, and convinced me that I could survive whatever fate threw in my path.  And bless them, they were right.  They were there for me when I needed them.  May they always know how much I will always be grateful for their love.  And especially for the special friendship of the wonderful man who has helped me get through the last few years.  God bless you for putting up with me.

As well as the extra special friends, I have met so many interesting and wonderful people on my travels, and particularly here on Ascension, that I feel blessed to call friends.  I truly think that some very special people end up on this very special place, and I have been lucky to have met them.  They have enriched my life with the sharing of their life experiences.  People come and go, but they will always be remembered, and will be a part of my heart.

Ascension Island is to me a great blessing.  I feel that this is the place I was meant to find.  I love living here, working here, and being a part of the community.  I have recently started some projects that delve into its history.  With everything I read I realize just how special this little rock is.  It may be small and have a relatively short history, but it is certainly an important and fascinating story. 

Having the opportunity to be involved in the Grotto is a blessing in itself.  As I arrived this past Sunday evening, I was greeted by a mother donkey and her little one.  A lamb was bleating for its mother, and I watched it jump across the lava rocks until it caught up with her, and watched its little tail wag in happiness.  What a wonderful reminder of God’s place in our world.  We are all part of this world, and we all have a responsibility to protect it.

As I’ve reached the tenth blessing, it has to be for the richness of my life.  I have been blessed with a wealth, which although not measured in currency, exceeds what many people have.  I have, like everyone else, had my share of tough times, and I’m sure that I will have more in the future.  All of us have and will experience heartache.  But I know that I have friends and family that will always be there to support, comfort, and encourage me.  I have a faith that will help me deal with whatever happens.   I have good health, a comfortable life, and a reasonable expectation of a good future.  What more could someone ask?  I am rich beyond words or money.  And I am grateful, each and every day.

So the challenge for this week is to take a moment and count your blessings.  I’m sure that everyone can make it to ten.  Although, as I look over my ten, I realize that it is really in the hundreds at least.  All the people in my life, past, present and forever are the greatest blessings of all.  Who are your greatest blessings?  Tell them, give thanks, and appreciate them every moment.