I like series.
Movies - Harry Potter, case in point.
Sports - still a Patriots fan.
Books - current one, At Home in Mitford., by Jan Karon.

It's a gentle series revolving around the life and times of an Episcopal priest living in small town Maine.
I know - it may sound small and uninteresting, but for me,
it's like sitting with a friend, and hearing the news,
good and bad of our families and friends.
If I have a choice of listening to The Donald spewing idiocies,
or listening to how Esther is fairing with her respectable mayoral bid
as the incumbent - I'm going Mitford all the way.

I believe there are eight books in the series, and I'm in book four - A New Day.
Yes - there is a Christian bent to it, but more than that -
there is a play on the goodness of people, with the evil in the world to challenge their goodness. Sometimes the characters fumble, but there is proof that friendship and love can buoy you.

Yesterday, a line stuck with me.
It was in the middle of a prayer by Father Tim that said something to the effect - " Lord, we could spend all day thanking you, but instead we're going to enjoy the company of these good people, and the meal they have prepared..."

I feel that way often.  I can spend hours counting all the blessings for which I can be thankful.

Blessings aren't always wonderful - sometimes they are are plain awful - but they lead to good. During those terrible times I am thankful for those who lend support.
I'm thankful for my kids.  I have four of them.
Each of them, all adults now, bring so much into my life.
They make be laugh, be honest, work hard, rest harder,
and toss out the life line when I need it.
My mom is in hospice.  This is an odd blessing.
In it's awfulness, my children have rallied around me, each in their unique ways.
It's something for which I'm truly thankful.

It's a good thing I had four of them.
I told you I liked series.

Mom 

***For more info on the Mitford series - here's where you can go:
https://www.goodreads.com/series/44044-mitford-years
http://www.mitfordbooks.com/