With tomorrow being Thanksgiving and knowing that I've been feeling so much frustration with myself and the little things in life lately, I thought I would change my focus a bit and think about the things in my life that are so very good that I have to be grateful for. At times, I think it's so easy to get wrapped up in weight loss, body image, financial woes, chores, lack of time etc. that we lose sight of all the fabulous things we have in our lives, both big and small. Those things are far more important than what size jeans I have squoze (yes, I know it's not a word) myself into today! I am in hopes that by taking a moment to reflect, I can remove myself from that negative mindset and get back to me, the happy and content me, and recall what is truly important in my day to day life.
Here goes…
I am grateful for my daughter, Natalie. She keeps me smiling and laughing (when I don’t want to choke her) and I am so proud of the little girl she is becoming. She has a pretty wonderful heart and although she has my sassiness, she is good girl. I’m proud of her determination and sensitivity and I look forward to watching her continue to grow and go through life’s journey. I know the world is full of possibilties for her and I know wonderful things will come to her.
I’m thankful for Keith. I know it sounds cliché, but he is truly my soul mate and my heart. I found him at a time in my life where I had forgotten what it was like to love and be loved. I hate that we both traveled painful roads to meet one another but feel that those experiences have better equipped us to appreciate one another through the good and bad. He is my friend, my love, my cheerleader, and my voice of reason when I get a little out of control and he loves me despite my insanity. Pigtails loves you, Mr. Keith!!
In addition, I’m also thankful for Keith’s children, Ethan and Colin. These boys make me smile so much. The love I feel for them is special. They aren’t mine by birth but I have chosen to love them with all my heart because of who they are and the wonderful hearts they both have. Over the past 3 or so years, I have gotten to know them and have watched them grow into 2 boys that I am proud to know and whose lives I’m so fortunate to be a part of. I look forward to the men they will be and sharing in their lives.
I am thankful to have a family that through the years has supported me and helped me to become who I am today. I have been taught to have faith in God and respect myself. For that, I am thankful. I am grateful to have had a father that was my best friend for so many years and taught me how to love life and enjoy it, even it’s littlest of moments as that’s where memories are made. I miss him daily. I am also thankful for my mother. Through her struggles, especially in the past few years, I have watched her persevere. Though we push each other’s buttons at times, she is probably my biggest cheerleader in life. She has taught me what sacrificial love is all about. I hope that I am half the mother to Natalie that she has been to me, even when I was a horrible teenager and thought she didn’t understand me at all! I love you, Mom!
I am thankful for wonderful friends. God has always placed the right people in my life when I’ve needed them the most and I’m a better person for their support and advice. I never knew how wonderful it can be to be surrounded by great women as friends. I’m thankful for those that have been in my life for a long time and also for those I’m just beginning to know and who inspire me daily and probably don’t realize how much I need them in my life. I’m a lucky girl!
Lastly, I’m thankful for my health. This has been a trying year in that department. I didn’t think that I would overcome some of the difficulties and hurdles I have had to in this last year and only at the age of 34. I have since come to realize that by being diagnosed with a chronic illness, it doesn’t mean that becomes my life. It simply becomes one small facet of my life and one that I can learn to live with, not allow to rule my life. At the end of the summer, I was still having difficulty walking as a result and was so sick from March on this year, but was just beginning to get this thing under some small amount of control. Now, I’m rebuilding my strength and realizing my limitations and that I can still push myself to overcome some of them. Although I get frustrated with my body, I am so very appreciative of it as it allows me to live life daily. I have learned that it works with me better when I care for it as I should and feed it well, rest it, and allow it to have fun. Health is something I took for granted until there was an absence of it in my life. I didn’t realize how truly important it is. Now, I am trying to make it of utmost importance and learn to care for myself so that I can better care for those around me!!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year as it’s not about giving gifts and the like. It is about relaxing and taking time out to enjoy those around us and reflect on what we all have to be grateful for. No matter where you are in your life and on your journey, there is SOMETHING to give thanks to God for!
I am grateful for my daughter, Natalie. She keeps me smiling and laughing (when I don’t want to choke her) and I am so proud of the little girl she is becoming. She has a pretty wonderful heart and although she has my sassiness, she is good girl. I’m proud of her determination and sensitivity and I look forward to watching her continue to grow and go through life’s journey. I know the world is full of possibilties for her and I know wonderful things will come to her.
I’m thankful for Keith. I know it sounds cliché, but he is truly my soul mate and my heart. I found him at a time in my life where I had forgotten what it was like to love and be loved. I hate that we both traveled painful roads to meet one another but feel that those experiences have better equipped us to appreciate one another through the good and bad. He is my friend, my love, my cheerleader, and my voice of reason when I get a little out of control and he loves me despite my insanity. Pigtails loves you, Mr. Keith!!
In addition, I’m also thankful for Keith’s children, Ethan and Colin. These boys make me smile so much. The love I feel for them is special. They aren’t mine by birth but I have chosen to love them with all my heart because of who they are and the wonderful hearts they both have. Over the past 3 or so years, I have gotten to know them and have watched them grow into 2 boys that I am proud to know and whose lives I’m so fortunate to be a part of. I look forward to the men they will be and sharing in their lives.
I am thankful to have a family that through the years has supported me and helped me to become who I am today. I have been taught to have faith in God and respect myself. For that, I am thankful. I am grateful to have had a father that was my best friend for so many years and taught me how to love life and enjoy it, even it’s littlest of moments as that’s where memories are made. I miss him daily. I am also thankful for my mother. Through her struggles, especially in the past few years, I have watched her persevere. Though we push each other’s buttons at times, she is probably my biggest cheerleader in life. She has taught me what sacrificial love is all about. I hope that I am half the mother to Natalie that she has been to me, even when I was a horrible teenager and thought she didn’t understand me at all! I love you, Mom!
I am thankful for wonderful friends. God has always placed the right people in my life when I’ve needed them the most and I’m a better person for their support and advice. I never knew how wonderful it can be to be surrounded by great women as friends. I’m thankful for those that have been in my life for a long time and also for those I’m just beginning to know and who inspire me daily and probably don’t realize how much I need them in my life. I’m a lucky girl!
Lastly, I’m thankful for my health. This has been a trying year in that department. I didn’t think that I would overcome some of the difficulties and hurdles I have had to in this last year and only at the age of 34. I have since come to realize that by being diagnosed with a chronic illness, it doesn’t mean that becomes my life. It simply becomes one small facet of my life and one that I can learn to live with, not allow to rule my life. At the end of the summer, I was still having difficulty walking as a result and was so sick from March on this year, but was just beginning to get this thing under some small amount of control. Now, I’m rebuilding my strength and realizing my limitations and that I can still push myself to overcome some of them. Although I get frustrated with my body, I am so very appreciative of it as it allows me to live life daily. I have learned that it works with me better when I care for it as I should and feed it well, rest it, and allow it to have fun. Health is something I took for granted until there was an absence of it in my life. I didn’t realize how truly important it is. Now, I am trying to make it of utmost importance and learn to care for myself so that I can better care for those around me!!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year as it’s not about giving gifts and the like. It is about relaxing and taking time out to enjoy those around us and reflect on what we all have to be grateful for. No matter where you are in your life and on your journey, there is SOMETHING to give thanks to God for!
What are YOU thankful for?
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You are an amazing woman! Totally cool and incredibly inspiring, positive and make me a better person just from being in your light. I am so blessed to know you!
ReplyDeleteHappy thanksgiving-
Susan