“Louisa had never been grateful for anything, but from Corie she learned gratefulness and thankfulness for all things: dry wood, rain when the spring was low, cold snaps that cured up colds and made a spell for killing hogs, sunshiny days, snowy days (they meant good crops), hard frozen bare ground for it was then that the children did not wet their feet or ruin their shoes. Without being a pessimist Corie expected the worst of all possible combinations in all things, and as a result was eternally grateful for some little thing.”
Harriette Simpson Arnow – “Mountain Path”
Pap raised me to look at things in much the same way that Corie did in the book “Mountain Path.” He always said there’s good in everything if you look hard enough you’ll find it and things could always be worse than they are and all you have to do is look at people and their problems around you and you’ll know that’s true for sure.
I did my best to instill the same sense of gratefulness in my girls. This ole word is full of trials and tribulations, but learning how to be grateful for the little things seems to offer the best buffer against troublesome times.
If you’ve never read “Mountain Path” you should.
—May 26, 2017
Six years later I’m still trying to practice the act of being grateful that Pap taught me. Even with Miss Cindy’s prognosis looking downright hopeless we’ve tried to focus on the good things. She’s in very little pain thus far and is still having pretty good days.
At the book signing in Hendersonville lots of folks said they were praying for Miss Cindy and wished us well. One sweet lady told me she’d lost her parents. One went very fast and the other suffered a long drawn out sickness. She said “I just want you to know there was blessings in both even though their deaths were so different. And there’ll be blessings in what your family is going through if you look for them.”
As I’ve tried to practice gratefulness over the last few weeks here’s a list of things I’ve focused on.
- the beauty of spring of the year in Appalachia
- the barrage of blooms I see driving back and forth to Miss Cindy’s
- the multitude of prayers being prayed for Miss Cindy and us from people like you
- the camaraderie that Miss Cindy and Granny have, they’ve been spending a lot of time together
- sweet girls who’ve pitched in to help me in every way they can
- the success of Jim and mine’s cookbook
- the promise of garden bounty just outside my window
- whippoorwills calling to each other around my house
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After reading this post, I downloaded Mountain Path to my Kindle Reader. I’m grateful that you mentioned it.
Oh, Tipper, I have never heard of the book Mountain Paths, but I looked it up. This book is written about Pulaski County, Kentucky. I grew up in McCreary County, Kentucky, which is the adjoining county just south of Pulaski. I searched for this book to buy it, but it is too expensive right now. I will keep my eye out for it. I did buy another book by the same author. This book is about Burnside, Kentucky, which is about 20 minutes from my hometown, and how the original town of Burnside was flooded to make the man made lake of Lake Cumberland. Thank you for sharing this book. I love to find new writers of Appalachia, especially when they are writing about my beloved home.
Thankful for blessings? Yes! Thankful that major troubles have, so far, bypassed me and my family? Yes again. I cannot hope to understand why we’ve been spared, but I am grateful to God for His favor. At 89, a little heart trouble (pacemaker) and six years with asymptomatic prostate cancer are pretty much non-issues in my life–undeserved blessings for sure. Go figure. God is good.
I’m reminded of this refrain from the Baptist Hymnal:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]
Farther Along
Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long;
While there are others living about us,
Never molested, though in the wrong.
Farther along we’ll know more about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.
Read the words to this song. We are not supposed to know why things happen the way they do. We are not capable of knowing. But we will! We’ll understand it all by and by!
That was my Grandpa’s favorite hymn.
Tipper, you are always a blessing. Thank you for the reminder about being grateful. I’m afraid I forget to do that a lot. Praying for Ms Cindy and the whole family. Y’all are such a blessing to so many people.
Amen ❤️
it was such a pleasure to meet you and Katie on Saturday in Hendersonville! I had meant to ask you if you would do a video of canning green beans this summer. My husband Tim said we should go back in and ask you, but I told him you may think I was stalking you. LOL! I continue to pray for all of you during this difficult time.
Mandy-wonderful to meet you to! Will try to do a greenbean video 🙂
There is good all around us if we look hard enough, we will see it. I am so thankful I was taught to always be grateful for each and every day because there is always someone worse off somewhere. And to be thankful for everything. My mama used to say, ” the more you go through, the stronger you become and always trust God in the good and in the bad.” I am so thankful Miss Cindy is still having good days and we here at home continue to pray for her and all of you.
I get so much pleasure and joy while following your posts and videos! I am a bit older than you and have experienced much of the things you share, while growing up in a different region.
My wife and I have and will continue to pray for all of your family! Those daughters are a joy to watch.
Thank you Tipper. I needed that. God bless.
Last Sunday in church we sang the the song that includes the words, “God has been good, God has been faithful” and my mind traveled back over my life of 74 years and I knew in my heart that that was 100% true. Through the good times and the bad, the Lord was there and over the years I have come to see that He is also wise. I don’t understand His ways but I know something about His heart towards those who are His children.
I try to practice gratefulness too. Sometimes it is hard, but I usually see the glass half full. When my mom died unexpectedly in her 60s, it was a shock to all of us. I was in my 40s & our son was still at home. In a search to be thankful, I started remembering friends who had lost their mothers. One neighbor had lost her mother while she was still in high school. It was a constant reminder to me to be thankful I had my mother 25+ years longer than she did.
Sometimes we have to dig, but we can usually find something to be grateful for. I will continue to pray for Miss Cindy & your family.
A lot of people are included in my daily prayer when I ask the Lord to bless them. I spend more time telling Him how grateful I am for the blessings He has bestowed upon us rather than asking for more. I’m so glad that Miss Cindy is feeling the power of the many prayers asking the Lord to keep her pain-free.
When we are grateful, we will have happiness and satisfaction in our lives.
Today as I read your post, I’m grateful that God is allowing Miss Cindy good days and enjoying her friendship with Granny.
Tipper, sending prayers and blessings today and every day to all the family.
And I’m thankful for you, your family and your gift of sharing with us all!
Tipper,
I’m one of the many who are praying for Miss Cindy and you and your family. It truly is a small world, after all. The out reach of your Blog Is Worldwide. There’s no telling how many people are praying for y’all. I wanted to let you know, I received my copy of your cookbook yesterday and I can’t wait to delve into the recipes, history and stoties . I know I’m going to love every minute.
Please remember me in your Prayers. Thank you.
Jeri Whittaker
5/16/2023
near Athens, Georgia
Jeri-thank you! I will continue to pray for you!!
Thanks for the wonderfully written reminder of how blessed so many of us are, Tipper. So much to be grateful for if we take the time to stop and take it in. Continued prayers for Ms Cindy and all the family.
Oh goodness yes, being grateful is a peace unto itself and a blessing from the Lord. If I was there I’d give you a hug. Love and prayers.
When my youngest son was murdered in 2015, I expected to feel a wide range of emotions and I did, but I never expected that gratitude would be one of them. I have been richly blessed all through my season of grief. I am not blessed because my son died, but in spite of it. God is so good and I felt like He was grieving with me as He blessed me with comfort. I too am praying for Miss Cindy and I know how hard these days are for all of you, but some day you will look back on this time and see how precious it was. Many blessings come on the darkest of days.
Susie-I’m so sorry you lost him. Thank you for sharing your encouraging thoughts!!
Your stories, music, and philosophies-are helping me through healing and rehab from emergency stomach surgery last week. I had a bowel blockage and learning a new lifestyle!
I am grateful for lots of people and medical advances that have helped me!
Guerry-sorry you’ve been sick. I will praying for your healing and comfort!!
There’s always something to be thankful for. All things work for good for those who believe and trust in God. Sending up prayers for healing and comfort for Miss Cindy and all those who are encircling her with loving arms.
This was a good reminder to be grateful for something every day. Continued prayers for Miss Cindy and your family.
It is hard at times to see a blessing in things, but now I often look back on my life and realize how God has blessed me. The first things I think of is God giving me a way to be saved, the best wife (almost 50 years) children, grandchildren a man could have, the rest of my family including my wife’s family many, many friends, the necessities needed to be able to live an enjoyable life and also the means needed to have some of my wants. For about 53 years of my life I worked on blue collar manufacturing jobs, in that time I was never without a job, worked less than 40 hours a week, drew a dime of unemployment, or was out or on light duty for medical reasons. God provided me with the health to be able do this. There has been troubles along the way, two of the worst being the death of my wife and daughter. I have trouble understanding or seeing a blessing in these. Tipper, you ,your family, and the members of the BP&A along with the singing of the of the good old hymns by Pap, Paul, and the other family members have been a real blessing to me. I pray for Miss Cindy and her Family every day. My father in law would often sing a song at church titled “Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me”. This song sums it all up real well.
Tipper… how true, how true. I haven’t posted on anything you’ve shared in a while because I’ve been so busy trying to wrap my head around the seriousness of Hunny’s health issues and what a mountain we are climbing when you announced Miss Cindy’s serious health crisis. I’ve been praying for her, Matt and the whole family as you climb the mountain of your own set of troubles and it has helped me as I try desperately to trust God in all things but especially our current situation with Jacks kidneys working at less than 50%. I was so shocked with his diagnosis and how did this happen that I just didn’t pray for healing for him. I just laser focused on the why and how. I guess sometimes we all need a good shaking to put us back on track…to see the good in everything. After your vlog sharing Miss Cindy’s journey with cancer I knew that in your story I needed to accept our story and do as I usually always do and trust God in ALL things. As tough as this life lesson was, the many tears I’ve cried and the questions I have, I know that ONLY with God can we climb any mountain we are faced with and see all the good that will come from it. For Jack, he is in and out of the hospital, dialysis 3 days a week and the name that was put on this horrible turn of health is auto immune disease and there is no explanation as to how a man who up to about 6 weeks ago walked 2 1/2-3 miles a day and was not a bit under the weather is now fighting for every good bit of day he can. Miss Cindy’s story is playing out much the same as Jack’s with the exception that we don’t have any answers as to what will help bring back his kidney function or if BUT I’ve been reminded that like Miss Cindy and your whole family, we must live life knowing God is in control and we must just trust HIS path for our lives and find the good in each new day…there is always something if only we look. Thank you for your dear sweet Paps advice and thanks for sharing Miss Cindy’s story with us as a reminder that trusting God is the good in all things and that is what will sustain us through all our mountains we must climb. Many tears still fall and many prayers are offered up to the greatest healer for not only my husband but also for Matt’s mother as well as for all who have hugh mountains they are facing in their lives !!!:):):)
Vicki-I am praying for your husband and you!! Thank you for your prayers!!
My friend and I enjoyed meeting you and Katie so much in Hendersonville on Saturday. It truly felt like we could just have sit down and talk for hours about, planting crops, cookin good food and God’s grace through trials. Thank you for making time for people when your family has so much to deal with now. Bless you all and continued prayers for Miss Cindy.
Laverne-it was wonderful to meet you both!
We BP&A readers know you practice gratitude. You reveal it all the time, even (especially) when you are not aware that you are. The person we reveal without thinking is the person we most are. That should not be a scary thought. And I’m sure Katy and Corey have learned that lesson well and are carrying it on.
Naylor was a special woman – honoring God and trying every minute to act accordingly. She worked hard, helped others always, and was the example I most remember for being a good boss. She walked away from any conversation that was talking about others, she daily drove older folks to the doctor or grocery store. She always had a kind word for everyone around her EVERY day! She was smiling, encouraging – a wonderful example of serving God. Someone once said to her, you are always so nice I bet you could find something nice about Satan. After thinking for a moment, she said He is persistent! I’ll always look up to her example – never telling others what they should do but always an example.
Well said, Tipper, and a timely reminder of counting our blessings, even during the darkest days.
There is so much good in everything around us. Thank you for reminding us. Prayers continue for Miss Cindy and all of the family. Garden going in slowly. I’m keeping up with the signs this year.
God bless you Tipper, God will keep you safe and well going to Ms Cindy, God bless Ms Cindy with healing and health in Jesus name, God bless you friends of Appalachia, Have a great day!
Norman, thank you posting your blessings. They are uplifting for, and benefit, all of us.
That is beautifully said Tipper I am sure God is watching over your family as I pray for peace and comfort for your family and to be alongside Miss Cindy through this season of her life
We all have much to be grateful for…thank you for the reminder. I am thankful today to hear that Miss Cindy is still having some good days and isn’t in a lot of pain thus far. Continuing to pray for her and your sweet family!
Sometimes it is hard to be grateful when you are up to your knees in alligators…then it is time sit down and write that gratitude list.
I am sure, like me, there is not enough room to list all the things most of us, if we slow down, have an abundance of Blessings. The only thing I usually tell someone is to capture the persons voice to pass on. I remember telling someone that and they looked at me like, WHAT???…you can capture pictures and remember what someone said, but once they are gone, you can never remember the sounds they made. I would love to be able to remember the sound of my Mother’s voice. I can remember the words and I can see pictures, but not the actual sound of her voice. What a treasure to pass on to the next and next and next generation. I guess all this ranting and you get the jest of what I am trying to describe. So, with that, please pass on to Miss Cindy that we are praying for her and all of you guys. God Bless
Glenda, you are so right! I have voice messages on my phone from my mother and husband and a dear friend, all whom have passed on. I tend to forget about the messages, but when a day comes along wherein I am missing their presence, I listen to their comforting voices. When mom’s dementia was so bad, all she could remember were the old gospel hymns and could still sing every one. I have those recordings, also. What a blessing!
Good morning Miss Tipper, amen that’s what I have always been taught to do as well is to be thankful/grateful for the small things in life as they add up quick and will help settle your mind and keep you on a positive path in life.
It’s the small victories in life that help us win the ultimate war that our lives take on.
Pap was right, you don’t have to look far at all around you to see how good we’ve got it, there’s always someone else that’s got it a little worse than we do.
I’ve often tried to look at life like this with our two special needs kids, THE TOUGHER THE BATTLE THE SWEETER THE VICTORY!!!!!!
We are still praying for Miss Cindy & your entire family.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Thank you for posting this, it always good to be thankful for those you love and what you have. A gentle reminder.