Thanksgiving

It's not often that we take the time to think about all we have to be thankful for. However, Facebook (my guilty addiction) has this challenge going around to post something you're thankful for every day until Thanksgiving. Yeah, yeah, yeah - sounds a little corny but now that I've been doing it, I'm so happy that I have to take the time to think about this. Not only do I think about it before I post, but so many times throughout the day, I think about the little things that make my life extraordinarily amazing. I must say that it's quite rewarding and refreshing.

This past year, in particular, has been an incredible rollercoaster with some horrid and heartwrecking experiences. Our lives have been torn and so many tears have been shed. The ability to reflect and realize what my life is, what the challenges resulted in building, makes me want to hug the world and sometimes just gag. While the status post on Facebook is fantastic, I thought it might be nice to reflect on the rewards more fully.

My friends - I can't thank my friends enough. Without friends, life would have no meaning or purpose. Somehow, just when you need it, a friend comes into your life and helps you to more fully understand the challenges you are facing, bring a smile to your face, or joy to your heart. One phone call or one email can set your mind free or help you to release an unnecessary frustration that you're holding on to. I am often amazed at the connection and how often, just when you need it, the right friend suddenly appears. I wonder sometimes why I feel a pull to contact someone I haven't spoken to in months or years, only to find that this particular friend is struggling and in need of a shoulder to cry on or sounding board. That miracle of chance is inspiring and I know at that moment how gifted and blessed we are. Thank you to all my friends, past and present, you are an absolute blessing and I treasure our time.

Grade school friends, I am thankful for the social development they gave me and the memories. One silly conversation can take you back to 4th grade and inspire all the feelings of being that age, as well as the realization of what our children are going through. I will always remember playing with Barbies, fashion ideas & discussions, reading the Judy Blume books and discussing the "dirty parts" in depth, crushes, music, movie stars who were hot (thankfully we now realize they are YUCK!), hide and seek, ghost stories, make-up, bras, introduction to gossip, fights, making-up, sleepovers and let's go ahead and admit it - playing girlfriend/boyfriend. All part of growing up! Whether we admit to it or not...we did it. Shhhhhhh, it'll just be our little secret - except for anyone who reads this! We really did learn so much from each other and we really did laugh a lot. I'm so thankful that I had all of you to get through the days with and to learn from. Though we rarely see each other and some only via email or Facebook, it's a continued delight to see your lives, your families, and your happiness as well as frustrations. Life just wouldn't be the same without the hysterics of some of those memories. The true reward is seeing everyone grown up, responsible, and the adoration of their children.

Friends I've never met. What a strange concept to imagine! I have a group of friends I have connected with online over the years. Today's technology has allowed friendships to cover great distances and for complete strangers to develop an intense connection. Certainly, I would strongly advise people to be cautious in forming friendships with strangers; there are wackos out there! (Be careful of adult Wiggles fans!) However, this particular group of amazing and genuine ladies have enriched my life beyond imagination. We have shared our lives, our children, our dreams and desires, and a lot of ridiculous stories. That connection is a blessing.

Facebook. I'd be so much more productive without it; however, I am delighted with this tool of distraction. As a stay-at-home mother, I appreciate being able to escape my reality to chat with adult friends, read stories, or to gather ideas and information. I am in love with Facebook and honestly thankful for it, as there is never a day that doesn't deliver a laugh or some form of inspiration or assistance to enrich my life. The most amazing posts come out of nowhere and help me to realize where my focus ought to be or what I want out of life.

My mother-in-law. I love that woman. She is a true friend and I'm fully aware that not many people can say this honestly. Sure, I'm thankful that she's the mother to my husband, but she's so much more than that. I can't say that we have a mother/daughter relationship. We have more of a female to female relationship which also morphs into a mother to mother as needed; however, never really a mother to daughter - that just seems odd. We discuss husbands, friends, concerns, politics, and parents. Strangely we've both been challenged with very similar ordeals in our lives that coincide. I love that we can chat for hours and never even mention Miss Fabulous or her son. She does happen to be the best grandmother in the world and the only individual I completely trust with my daughter; which is yet another blessing.

Challenges. I fully admit to hating the ordeal and strife that challenges bring to my life. Many times, I'd also like to sit a few people down and give them time-outs (or just bitch slap them until they figure out that they need to listen to me.) However, with each struggle and challenge, I have learned a valuable piece of information to improve my life or to enrich my understanding of my own identity. I am not complete and I know that more struggles are looming in the distance but I know that if it doesn't kill me, I will come out stronger in the end. I have no intention of seeking them out but I will face them and learn what is asked of me. (God I just need a little deal so we can avoid the huge ones and give me a break - at least for say, a year?)

Abilities. I am thankful for the abundance of talent and abilities that I was blessed with and I am thankful for my shortcomings and opportunity to learn from my mistakes. I have great pride in what I have accomplished with my talents and my own free will. Hard work really does pay off and not always in monetary valuations. I know I can always take pride in what I have accomplished and in my successes as I have created a life that beyond my wildest dreams due to that effort.

My husband. He is my support system (and a pain in the ass.) Our personalities are radically different and many times conflicting (I'm right and he's wrong.) However, we share life ideologies and love of our child (she loves me more just so you know.) I appreciate him for providing for our family to ensure that I can stay at home with our child (okay, he does do this really well.) He is the most amazing father and I adore watching his relationship with Miss Fabulous (quit teaching her crap that gets me into trouble with the teachers at school.) He is so extremely laid back (aka lazy at home) and friendly; everyone likes him, I don't think you can honestly NOT like him (he really is a pain the ass though.) He is a complement to my overtly perfectionistic attitude (thank goodness, only one of us can be perfect and RIGHT.) He makes me realize that sometimes, I need to stop or lower my gear (not really, that's just what I say when I concede to a fight that has no point.) He has put up with so much ridiculousness and drama caused by my family. He has put up with my bringing family members into our home to live with us in desperate situations (okay, huge kudos and extra brownie points for that one.) Without fail, there is never a complaint (until much, much later when it isn't even a point and he's losing ground in a fight about something else.) He endures, no matter how annoying the situation. We are readily pains in each others' backsides, but we appreciate that reality. (Yup, I still love him and I'm keeping him - unless you want him, then I'll take the alimony.)

My teachers. Teachers make such an amazing difference in your life and sometimes they teach you life skills far beyond the classroom curriculum. Whether they realize it or not is another matter. My Kindergarten student teacher taught me a skill that I've used throughout life. She took the paper off the crayons, broke the crayons into smaller pieces, and used them sideways to draw a rainbow. I was shocked that the did such a thing, I remember the feeling of panic! But what I learned through that experience was that it's okay to use something in a way that's not been mentioned and sometimes things that are broken are actually an improvement. The ability to see things differently and stray from what we commonly believe as perfect can help you move forward and see things more clearly. There are so many other teachers who've made a difference in my life but there are those who went beyond the classroom to make a personal connection, and those are the individuals who have taught me lessons to balance myself and my life.

Materialistic items. I'd be so full of it if I didn't admit to this, but I am so utterly thankful for all the materialistic items we've accumulated. We have worked damn hard for everything we have and we have done it all ourselves. We started with NOTHING - a big, huge goose egg! Nothing is above God or more important and I'd give it all up in a heartbeat for my family, but I love what we've done and what we have to show for it. I adore my home. (Of course, I will always want bigger and better and I think that's a drive of nature and one of the reasons for our success.) It is beautiful and comfortable. The neighborhood is fantastic and gorgeous. I am seriously living in a fairy tale here and I love it! I'll never forget the first week we moved in here, the week of Christmas (after the stupid blizzard stopped and snow melted enough that we could get out to the grocery store); the neighborhood looks like a professional Christmas card. Houses like this didn't exist where I grew up and my grandmother goes around telling people I live in a mansion. Not quite, but I love this home and I love all the little things we've collected over the years that add to the interior charm. It's a delight to see where 18 years has taken us and we do appreciate it very much. Home sweet home indeed!

Disney. Yup, I am thankful for Disney. I love that we can escape our reality and move our lives into the pure magic of Disney with a movie, a game, or a trip. We can be completely happy, enjoy ourselves as a family, and completely forget about reality while we experience everything that Disney has to offer. It's a daily subject in our household and a constant dream.

Add in all the (to me) obvious things. God, Veterans, The United States of America, Colorado, California, my dogs, gorgeous views, beauty, the past, the present, and the future. I am completely and avidly thankful for all of these things and what they bring to my life.

Miss Fabulous. The most important aspect of my life. I adore this kid and I am so ridiculously blessed to have her in my life. Sure, as I'm nagging her to get in car and snipping at her about staying on schedule and focusing, I don't always show it. While I can't stand the way she walks off and talks to complete strangers about anything and everything (despite our constant and endless conversations about this not being safe), I also love her for her ability to do this. I love her charm and her talents. I don't always know what to do with her talents because she far surpasses mine in so many ways. Until her, I had no idea that love could be this strong or intense. This little angel has such a future ahead of her and I haven't any idea where this journey with her will take us, but I eagerly await anything and everything to do with this child. Without Miss Fabulous, I would have no reason to get up every morning or to continue with my own journey. Wrapped up in pink and glitter on a daily basis, all on her own, she is joy, love, beauty, and magic.