Thankfulness

In today’s times it’s difficult to be optimistic when daily news is full of doom and gloom. Our economic situation seems to get worse on a daily basis. Those of us with children in the military have even greater fears from countries like Iran and North Korea, and the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan loom larger in our minds, keeping us up late at night. Those with jobs don’t really feel secure, because they fear they could join the millions who are already unemployed. The political rhetoric is full of angry and sometimes even hateful vitriol and we wonder what kind of country we are living in and at times think we’re actually living in the twilight zone!

It’s holidays, like today though, when we NEED to slow down, get a grip, and concentrate not on the negative, but the positive, because there truly ARE many encouraging things in our lives, IF we take the time to see them.

I am thankful for my family, who has shown me so much unconditional love. There is nothing, not even gold, that can buy what a family can give via love, security and belonging. Without my family, I feel my spirit would wither and eventually perish. I’m blessed beyond words and I must’ve done something right to have such a wonderful family!

Friends are also important; therefore I’m grateful for them, as well. TRUE friends are hard to find and even harder to keep. They come into our lives when we least expect it and we must honor and cherish them. I am thankful for my friends and hope they know how much they mean to me.

Health is worth more than all the gold in Fort Knox. Those of us who struggle with health issues are more aware of this than most. Nothing can replace good health and without it a person can’t really enjoy life. Never—NEVER, take good health for granted and be thankful EVERY day if you ARE healthy. I’m thankful that even though I have struggles, they aren’t life threatening.

I have many blessings, too many to list, actually, and I berate myself for not being thankful every minute of every day. But I realize that life gets in the way sometimes and it makes it difficult to think of my blessing constantly. So I lighten up a little and give myself credit for appreciating what I DO have, not just on Thanksgiving, but other days of the year, as well. I hope others do this, too, because it’s just too easy to get wrapped up in the rat race and the ugliness of the world around us. We need to see the beauty of our world-- the love and the peace, because they DO exist. Please SEE them!

I hope on this Thanksgiving holiday more people see the good, the peace and the blessings. And may ALL of you—MY friends, have a Happy Thanksgiving, filled with lots of love and ALL that makes YOU truly happy.

Thanksgiving-What it Means to Me

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. The fourth of July being my most favorite; because without freedom I can’t very well celebrate the others. So, today I would like to express why I am appreciative.

First and foremost I am very grateful for my family. I am blessed with a very supportive and loving husband. He has been in my life for over 28 years and I truly appreciate him, even though I don’t always show or tell him so. He knows me better than anyone and loves me in spite of all his insight! I am indebted to him for bestowing me with two beautiful sons, who are the sunlight in my days and the joy in my heart. I never really understood unconditional love or the saying “I will die for you” until the day I looked into their eyes. I WILL die for my sons without hesitation. I have sacrificed for them since the day they were born to ensure they will be ready for adulthood and I do NOT regret one moment. It has been an honor being their Mom and I will always be proud of them and I will love them with all my heart…forever. They are THE two MOST perfect things I have EVER done in my life and I’m POSITIVE I will never do anything so perfect again.

I would like to say that I am blessed with awesome parents. They have been there for me in so many ways and I can’t thank them enough. They lead by example by loving and respecting one another which swells my heart with such happiness. I am always proud to introduce them to my peers and I’m honored when they introduce me to someone from their very large circle of friends because I know how respected they are in their community. I realize they are aware of how much I appreciate them, but I won’t stop demonstrating how very deserving they are of all the love, respect and adoration I feel.

I have a few health related issues; however, I am lucky they are not life threatening. Still, they have made my life difficult, but I’m a strong person who refuses to allow these “issues” to stop me from enjoying my life and those I love. I’m grateful I am strong, purposeful, determined and optimistic. I believe that we all have lessons to learn and this is another one of mine. I haven’t quite mastered it yet, but I’m hopeful the answer won’t be long in coming. Hope is what keeps me going…especially when I’m having a very bad day. I’m thankful for Hope. It’s a blessing unto itself. And just for the record: No one should ever take good health for granted. It’s extremely precious. No amount of money will ever buy one good health. It can purchase medication or something to aid in a recovery, but it will NEVER buy one into healthfulness. If you are lucky enough to be healthy, say “thank you” every single day and MEAN it.

I’m also thankful this year for the new friends that I made. Friends are cherished gifts. I say gifts, because they are given to us sometimes for no apparent reason yet they come when we need them the most. This is why we should feel appreciative and recognize we are worthy. Friends should be treasured, too, because a true friend is rare. So, when one is bestowed upon you, thank whatever higher power you believe in and know that you must’ve done something admirable.

I’m thankful I can read, write, do mathematics, and converse with people, even strangers, in a respectable manner. Heck, I’m grateful I HAVE manners! I’m appreciative I have the ability to feel proud but not arrogant; to feel compassion without pity; and sympathy while remaining true to myself.

And last but not least, I’m thankful for our great and glorious Country. Though we face many difficulties right now, I believe we Americans will prevail. We are unique people— Strong and courageous; loving and benevolent; intelligent and innovative. And with all our strengths, we will persevere and come through our darkest times stronger than ever. I thank my fellow Americans for their unwavering faith in our Constitution, our Military and in each other.

Happy Thanksgiving! May yours be blessed with everything that makes YOU happy.