Thankful Thursday-The Secret Garden Chronicles -I'm So Out Of Touch!

Dear Friends out here in Blogland...I apologize for being so OUT OF TOUCH lately...

but most of you know that we were enjoying entertaining our grandson here from Maine this past week...or should I say, "we were enjoying our grandson entertaining US?"  Probably that would be more to the point!  What a delightful, wonderful visit we had...and yes! He was very entertaining!

And so, for my Thankful Thursday, I'd like to thank the Lord for sending our grandson to us...he is God's gift to us from our son Matthew, who departed this world much too soon almost three years ago.  Here are a few pictures from our visit...needless to say...he kept us happily busy...and nearly  ate us out of house and home as only a 17 year old "growing young man" can do!  If you are on my facebook, you may have already seen most of these pictures...so bear with me as I relive our happy times together.

Here he is...straight off the plane and right to the restaurant for some FOOD!
When I asked him if he was hungry, he replied, "Yes, Grandma, I am always hungry".
Truer words were never spoken! LOL

When we got home, our grandson and "the uncles" started building a bonfire so we could have s'mores and hot dogs...this, after a full meal at Cracker Barrel...

Of course I was right there in the middle of that!!

Next day he helped his uncle sell signs at the flea market, a.k.a. "Ben's Wood Signs" (seen on this link at his ETSY shop, "Rustic Forest Studio"  When told that he would have to get up at 6:30 a.m. to go to the flea market, at first he demurred on the idea...until I mentioned that there is a breakfast buffet at the restaurant where this flea market is held..., and then he said,
"Okay, I'm in!!"

Then we had a birthday party for my hubby, with lots of food, friends, and fun!

We took a family hike on one of the many hiking trails in our part of the woods...

Yes, that's me on the end..."pack horse pammy"

Two tall handsome young men, our grandson on the left, and our youngest son on the right

Here's the guys at one of their many outdoor games...Bocce Ball

Then we went out to eat at one of our favorite places on the St. John's River...had to keep him fed... LOL

The guys played a lot of chess...

And then played a lot of corn hole

Even I got in on the act, with my grandson watching and making faces in the background.

The photo bomber is stealing the show...

and again...

and again...while I am totally oblivious...

Next day we went to the beach...but had to stop at Larry's Giant Subs
for lunch first..."The home of the Big One"

And then we watched him swim in the 62 degree ocean water...which was no problem for him
"cause I'm from Maine, Grandma!"

One last chess game before he had to leave to catch the plane...after a big "brunch" (1/2 way between breakfast and lunch) to tide him over...and then a stop at McDonald's on the way to the airport for a "Grand Mac" to seal the deal...

In thinking about this week, one verse came to mind:

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."  Matthew 5:4

That pretty well sums it up...interestingly that verse comes from the book of Matthew...our son's name who is in heaven...and this is his son who came to comfort us...and to bless us with his presence.  

So, on this "Thankful Thursday", I am thankful that God does not leave us comfortless...and that He provides plenty of food to feed the "hungry".  Amen.