Tag: Sally W. Paradysz

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A Memory of Gratitude by Carol L. Wright

November 13, 2025 by Bethlehem Writers Group in category From a Cabin in the Woods by Members of Bethlehem Writers Group tagged as Bethlehem Writers Group LLC, Carol L. Wright, From Scratch, gratitude, Sally W. Paradysz

The other day, I was thinking about how this regular “A Slice of Orange” column by members of the Bethlehem Writers Group (BWG) came about. It all began when one of our members, Sally W. Paradysz, wrote a monthly memoir/meditation from her “Cabin in the Woods” of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. When she started her regular contributions, she had already been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, but she didn’t waste her precious remaining time bemoaning her condition. Instead, she found many things for which to be grateful.

Bethlehem Writers Group was one thing she was thankful for until the end of her life. She was one of our founding members and grew as a writer during her years among us while helping other members to grow as well. I have always been grateful for Sal’s friendship and the time we had together.

After Sal’s passing in 2017 at the age of 77, other BWG members began writing their own thoughts for “A Slice of Orange” to fill the vacancy she left behind. You’ve seen us write original fiction, advice on writing, and thoughts on life.

Now, in the season for thankfulness, I want to honor Sal and share some of the many things that she appreciated most about this season–things that gave her life joy, love, and purpose. Below is a list of ten things I remember Sal being grateful for in this Thanksgiving season.

10. The fall palette that enhances Pennsylvania’s hills and woodlands, painting the trees in oranges, reds, yellows, browns, and greens against a clear blue sky in a natural masterpiece.

9. The scent of autumn after leaves have fallen when the air is crisp. It provokes a sense of anticipation of the changes to come: the bite of cold, a peaceful snowfall, and the contentment of being at home, snuggled under a blanket, stroking a cat, and reading a favorite book.

8. The trees that fell to give Sal a source of warmth through the colder months. Sal heated her house with a wood stove which gave a glow and fragrance that enriched the feeling of home. She thanked the trees for that gift.

7. The harvest that enhanced Sal’s vegetarian diet with fall flavors of squash and other vegetables that warmed the body and the heart.

6. The farewell honking of geese as they flew south for the winter. The songbirds that sang their gratitude for the many birdfeeders she filled as winter approached and food sources became increasingly scarce.

5. Deer and other wildlife, wearing their winter camouflage, that frequented her land, giving her a glimpse of stillness and beauty before disappearing into the gray-brown woods. Sal often wrote about the deer that eventually learned to trust her instead of fleeing from her presence.

4. The pets that owned her. Sal loved her gigantic Maine Coon cats. These long-haired beauties are friendly, vocal, loyal, and affectionate, even if they can be a lot to pick up and carry very far. They sometimes weigh in at over twenty pounds each.

3. The innumerable friends that shared parts of her journey, helping each other through the highs and lows, brightening joys and lightening sorrows. Sal’s heart was big enough to welcome friends wherever she went.

2. Family. Sal adored her children and grandchildren, appreciating each for their unique specialness. And, after a difficult marriage that ended in divorce, Sal found a true partner with whom to share the rest of her life. She was so very grateful for these much beloved people.

1. The blessing of a long life, affording opportunities to develop into her best self, to learn and grow, to become the published author she aspired to be . . . and to share these blessings with her readers from her cabin in the woods.