Thankful

With Thanksgiving upon us, it is the perfect time to mention just a few of the things I am thankful for againn this year. I reviewed my list from last year and there are striking similarities:

1. My family. I adore them. I would do anything for them. I know that they would do anything for me in return. We have fun together, make time to be together and I appreciate them. I cannot imagine my life without my family. They are a constant presence in my life. This includes my husband, daughter, mom, brother, grandma, cousins, aunts, incles, and inlaws. I am proud to raise my daughter in a family with so much love.

2. My health. After a couple stress fractures earlier this year that kept me couch bound for several weeks and then an injured finger (I am extremely klutzy), I appreciate more than ever the ability I have to exercise. I try to remind myself of this on days I struggle to peel myself out of bed to meet my running partner or come up with a bazillion other excuses not to work out.

3. My friends. I feel blessed to have the lifelong friends I have. After going through a hurtful honesty session (me being told we were never friends to begin with) with people I cared deeply for, I appreciate those friends that were there to pick me up, let me cry, stopped by my house just for a hug, and remind me what I always preach- focus on the good; not the bad because there is a lot more good than bad.

4. My job. I realize how blessed I am to have a job in an economy that is harder than ever to find one. It's a bonus that I like it most days. It provides me with the sense of providing for my family that I so desperately feel is important. And although my job as a Mom doesn't pay much in monetary ways, it is the most challenging and rewarding job I'll ever have. And I am thankful for my role as a Mom too. My little girl continues to amaze me and make my heart swell with love. Nothing prepared me for how much I would love my child. She blesses my life in so many ways. I am thankful she is a happy, healthy and loving child.

5. That my house does not have mice.  Honestly, this time of year was brutal when we lived in the country as we had a mice problem. I had nightmares for months, even after we moved. I love my house because it is comfortable, but I also love that it does not have mice.

6. My daughter. As I mentioned above, she is my world and I am grateful for her being in my life. She came to us at just the right time and was blessing right from the start.

7. My husband. He is truly a good person and sometimes I feel I don't deserve him. He puts up with my crazy ideas and lets me be me. I should have put him higher on the list, but it is in NO particular order. He is the best father I could have chosen and our life together is fun, adventurous and we enjoy being together. I look forward to coming home to him each day.

8. My education. I love to learn and read and grow. I am thankful for my education and after encouraging a young woman not to give up on her goals of a college degree as I believe education is the one thing no one can ever take from you, I appreciate now more than ever my own education. I love to see my little girl learn and grow as well and hope to be a role model for her.

9. I am thankful for each day. Each day is a gift and there have been far too many reminders lately that you never know what each day brings so we must make the most of them. And I do. I know what is important and take time each day to thank God for the blessings He has provided. Even in the darkest of days, I have been able to find something to be thankful for.  My heart aches for those that are so unhappy they are missing out on the daily blessings they have.

~Angela