'Tis the season to be: THANKFUL!

As Thanksgiving arrives this week, I, like many others, am reflecting on gratefulness.  Despite my many limitations and 'dumb luck', I often feel overwhelmed with a sense of intense gratitude.  I'm often very deliberate in showing my gratitude to people who may have blessed me, my precious family, my physicians, and the many who have sacrificed their time and energy to help me and my family.  While it's often easy to express gratefulness to those who 'help' or show love, it's often a bigger challenge for many to truly be grateful in the face of adversity or even less than ideal situations.

This goes a lot along the lines of my constant theme...choosing joy or finding that silver lining.  Gratitude, much like joy, is a choice!  Do we choose to be grateful for all the many, many blessings we have or are we always focusing on the lack, the missing, the disappointments, or the regrets?  I believe gratitude goes hand in hand with contentment.  I believe it's our choice!  I've chosen to be thankful, not just on 'turkey day' but everyday.  I have so many things to celebrate and be grateful for this year!  Yes, I have a very hard time hearing others have the privilege to give thanks for their 'health'.  It will always make my heart cry just a little...that at 39 years old....I cannot say I have my health.  However, I still get to arise each and every morning, put my feet on the floor (if even for a few minutes), and make new memories!  Just yesterday, I turned on my tunes and smiled to myself as I listed to: "Life is a highway, I'm gonna ride it all night long."  I am CHOOSING to be grateful for each day and each special moment!

Just a FEW things I'm GRATEFUL for this Thanksgiving:  (my real list would turn this into a book, instead of a blog)

-I'm STILL here!!!!!!
-I get to impart wisdom and speak into my children's lives on my 'good' days.
-I've been able to get back into the game, mentally, over the last 6 months as my body has gotten somewhat stronger, and I've been able to get my head off the pillow.
-the new friends I've made from far away, and the 'old' friends that have stuck by us.
-the days I get to be up and about more than a few minutes!
-I got to go to Target this month after many months of not leaving my 'prison'.
-for my new wheelchair that allows me to sit up.
-watching my children grow more resilient each and every month.
-for my darling, precious husband who has become stronger than he every knew was possible.
-for the in-laws who moved here and have taken the children to all their events so they can have a more normal life again.
-for all the notes, gifts, cards, messages, and care packages that have come my way to lift my spirits.
-for the special friendship with my mother that has grown even deeper in the last 2 years.
-the days I can sit up and feel apart of 'it all'.
-the quiet moments when I'm all alone with just my thoughts to focus on what I want to be one day..when I grow up.
-for all the prayers and support of many----probably more than I even realize!
-for the gorgeous view out of my bedroom window as each season changes.
-for my pacemaker that has saved my life more than once.
-for the jolly Christmas carols that bring a silly smile to my face each time I hear them.
-for the joy that God gives me ...that is truly my strength.
-reconnecting with a dear friend I hadn't seen in many, many years.
-the little, tiny small things that remind me that being a mother is the best job in the world!
-access to email, texts, and the gift of electronic communication on the days I cannot talk.
-cookies...yummy cookies...on a bad day!
-for the days my children surprise me when they show compassion and empathy beyond their years.
-encouragement that seems to come-just in time!
-for the sweet lady who comes all the way to my house to do my hair, so that I can keep some femininity in the face of illness.
-Christmas decorations and the ambiance of the evening lights.
-for my partner in life....who has made me more grateful for him each and every day!
-and...........so so so so much more!!!!!!!!!!!!

Count your blessings....ONE BY ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Happy Thanksgiving!