15 Things I Am Thankful For

This year it is a challenge to figure out what to be thankful for. I sit here in an empty home, my darling child taken by my ex in a cruel custody game that attorneys have to sort through. My heart is broken and filled with fear, yet still I find that there are things to be thankful for in this stupid world.

I am thankful for life, for as long as there is life there is hope. What does not kill me will make me stronger and at this rate, one day I shall be at the top of the heap in the toughness category.

I am thankful for hope, because without hope there would be no reason for living. It is this hope that enables me to wake up each day and put one foot in front of the other, make phone call after phone call and keep trying and fighting to protect my little girl. If it were not for hope I would not be here today.

I am thankful for technology, because thanks to cell phones, computers and Internet I am able to communicate with my little girl daily while the attorneys do their thing. I am able to be there for her whenever she calls, and use this technology to work toward bringing her home.

I am thankful for my family, for their love and support during this time have been immeasurable.

I am thankful for this experience, for it has taught me yet another valuable lesson: Divorce does not end the torture of a psycho.

I am thankful for my parents, who raised me to do the best I could and let the chips fall where they may; if it were not for them I would be berating myself instead of counting my blessings.

I am thankful for Karma, because it will return evil back to it's source.

I am thankful for my friends, whose support have made this pain a little easier to bear.

I am thankful for pain, for this pain enables me to know that I am still alive.

I am thankful for my ex-husband, for he has given me all the bad a marriage can contain, and taught me what to avoid in the male population. I detest you in ways that I cannot express but I am thankful for the painful lessons you have taught. I am thankful for the knowledge that one day you will HAVE to go away, and that one day the world will know you for the monster that you truly are.

I am thankful for the knowledge that I am broken, and to know that I will piece myself together again. I will continue to pick up the pieces and replace them on the patchwork of my soul and I will grow stronger, piece by tiny ripped piece.

I am thankful for money, for it truly makes this experience easier.

I am thankful for my tears, for they help me to release some of the pain trapped inside.

I am thankful for knowing that I have things to be thankful for. Gratitude is the starting point of miracles.

I am thankful for being stubborn, determined and patient. If it were not for these qualities, I would still be waking up with someone punching and kicking above my head, laughing as I begged him not to hurt me. It took years to escape that house, and years still trying to escape his other ideas of fun, but that's okay. I am more stubborn than you, I am more patient than you - and I will NOT quit until you leave me alone...

Once again, I am thankful for my life - for my very existence shows I have won! It may not seem that way right now, but that's okay. My time will come, and we will be safe.

Why do I know this? Because of the last thing I am thankful for: the knowledge that any other alternative is unthinkable.

Thank you - for everything.