There is nothing like a national recession to help put things into perspective. There have been Thanksgiving Days in the past where I was more focused with my place settings than I was the actual holiday. This year I am going easy on the bells and whistles. Instead I am going to spend my time and energy enjoying all that I have to be thankful for. Here are some of my favorites. Please feel free to comment yours.
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My marriage~
Although our marriage is only half a decade old, my husband and I have already endured many of life’s challenges together. I am incredibly grateful to have him there to lean on and to journey with me. Although I may complain about him a lot (pick up your stuff!) I wouldn’t trade him for the world.
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My kids~
I love to watch my 3 year-old sleep. He tears through the house like a hurricane all day. He doesn’t listen to me half of the time and he throws fits on almost every trip to the grocery store. But as soon as he goes down for a nap and I see his peaceful little face all I can think about is how much I love him. All of my kids are a challenge but whose aren’t? And in the day to day I can forget how lucky I am to have these three beautiful, healthy boys. So many people cannot conceive or have children suffering from physical or mental ailments. I am so thankful to be the mommy of my terrific little guys.
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My extended family~
Growing up, I was always trying to escape my family. I went out (and snuck out) all of the time. They practically had to tie me down until it was time to go off to college. But now that I am older, I find that those same people I ignored 15 years ago are the ones who I want to be around the most now. They are there for me through thick and thin and I no one makes feel as at home with myself as they do.
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Our finances~
I never thought that I would say this. We are the definition of middle class. But these days, the fact that we are making all of our bills with a little extra to spare is enough reason to be very thankful. So many people we know have lost their jobs and their houses. This year I am so thankful to have a roof over our heads and food in our bellies.
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My friends and neighbors~
We’ve all heard those stories of nightmare neighbors. Well, mine are the exact opposite. The neighbor to our right is like an adoptive grandmother to our boys. They go over to her house and play with her grown kids’ old toys and curl up with her to read stories. The neighbors to our left are our kids’ best friends and their mom is one of mine. We all have holiday get-togethers and birthday parties and baby showers with each other. Also, I am especially thankful for my best girlfriends. The ones that I can bare my soul to and call at 2am about my son’s fever. All of these people add so much to my life and I couldn’t imagine it with out them.
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