Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr once said this. “Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.”

I came across that quote a few days ago and immediately thought of my friends with physical challenges. Six people in particular. Somewhere along the way, they chose roses rather than thorns.

Which reminds me of something else I read recently in The Gift of Years by Joan Chittister.

“In a restaurant sat a group of young people, all of whom were physically challenged. One young woman (who was blind) traced the profile—the eye sockets, the lips, the nose, the ears—of the young person next to her with her fingertips. Then, she tipped her head to one side and laughed a tiny little laugh of total delight. “You’re beautiful!” she said. “Just beautiful.”

Thorns and blindness. Or roses and delight.

Today I’m reminded that I have choices…and I’m thankful for that. I’m thankful for so many things, especially my friends and family.

As I write, so many of your faces come to mind. Thank you for touching my life. These roses are for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!