Another Thankful Thursday!

As we get closer to the most Thankful day of the year, I find myself reflecting more and more on the fact that I need to focus more on the many things I have to be thankful for each and every day.

1.) Great Doctors & Nurses. I know so many of them, and I'm grateful for each and every one. It all starts with Doc, Sharon, & Maria ... the place where I can call, get right in, get home, & start feeling better! I've been fortunate in my life to have received care from a slew of great doctors & nurses, and I'm thankful for all of them.

2.) Awesome Adoptive Parents! I was adopted when I was eight weeks old, brought to live in the wonderful little town of E.B. My birth mother knew she wouldn't be able to provide me with the things I'd need, so she selflessly gave me up for adoption ... and I was lucky enough to get my Mom & Dad out of the deal. I had a wonderful home, ample food & 'stuff' growing up, and more opportunities to grow and learn than you can shake a stick at. As I grow older, I find myself more and more thankful that I was able to have 41 years to enjoy my dad (although I wish I'd had much, much longer) ... and that I still have my mom with me. When I think of how many little things might have impacted my adoption, I know that I was truly blessed.

3.) Kiwanis. I have met so many wonderful friends (some of whom have become my extended family) through Kiwanis! I've fulfilled my deep-seated need to give back to my community in lots of ways, and I've received so much more than I've given. Kiwanis was there for me during a particularly rough patch of my life, it was there for me after my father passed away, and it's there for me each and every day of my life. I'm grateful to be part of the E.B. Kiwanis Club, to share in the camaraderie and fellowship each week, and, in some small way, to help improve the quality of life for those we touch.

Thankful Thursday - Nov. 12, 2009

Well, today is the day that Shawn has his hernia surgery. So, while I am totally stressed out about that (in addition to the other stuff I am currently stressed about), I am still thankful. Here are my three 'Thankful Thursday' items for today ...

1.) I am thankful that we live in the United States, where we are able to get excellent medical care & don't have to wait forever to have something fixed. I pray daily that this continues.

2.) I am thankful for all the men and women who selflessly serve(d) this great nation in military service. The long list includes my son, currently deployed in the Middle East, my father who served in Italy in WWII, my uncle, 2 of my brothers, my nephew, and countless others who gave of themselves to ensure that we are free. God Bless those who serve today, and all those who served in the past.

3.) I am thankful for the gorgeous stretch of autumn weather we've been enjoying. It's delightful to walk Katie to the bus stop in the morning with the leaves crunching under our feet, and breathe in that fresh fall air. Life is truly good.

Thankful Thursday

My friend, Carole, posted a 'Thankful Thursday' on her blog Carole Knits this morning, and it inspired me to do the same. The theory is to post 3 things I'm thankful for each Thursday. I think too often we all dwell on the negative aspects of our lives, rather than focusing on the positive. We all have so very much to be thankful for, to feel blessed about ... why not celebrate it? In that spirit, here is my very first 'Thankful Thursday' post!

1.)My family. Immediate family, extended family, Kiwanis family, or friends who feel like family, whatever. I love them all, and feel very blessed to have them all in my life. At the top of the list is the fact that I found a wonderful man who I love, and who loves me back ... and I have four awesome and healthy kids (James, a PFC in the US Army currently deployed to Afghanistan; Jake, a sophomore at UMass Amherst & a member of Alpha Delta Phi; Katelyn, my wonderful first grader; and Mackenzie, my delightful preschooler).

2.) My home. So many people, especially in these times, have no home to call their own. I have a roof over my head, and a place to keep my (too-much) stuff. Seriously, what more can a person ask for?

3.) Friends. I am lucky enough to have some of the best friends in the world. Tops of the list is Shawn, my best friend and my husband. He's always there to support and encourage me, unwavering in his love. Jana, Tracee, Carole, Vivian, Diane, Dianne, Alicia, Glen, Jim, Dee, Dave, the list goes on and on and on. I have friends that I know I could call in the middle of the night with any request & they'd be right there for me, life is good!

Thanks for the inspiration, Carole! I encourage anyone reading who has their own blog to do the same ... c'mon, let's blanket our lives in positive thoughts and count our blessings :)