Thanksgiving 2009: Blessings Big and Small

Being on a deadline to push out my last article on my Thanksgiving blessings was very hard for me. I was consumed in self pity for all the things that have gone wrong and momentarily forgot to submerge myself in all the things gone right.

I have been receiving tons of Happy Thanksgiving messages from friends and family the past few days and going over them all has changed my attitude towards my life. I would like to thank everyone for helping me get up and brush off the dirt, this morning I woke up feeling truly blessed!

Now I feel it's time for me to count those blessings and let my loved ones know that I am thankful. Even through the hardest times in life we have to remember that for each door closed another will open and that we are loved.

Here is my compilation of Thanksgiving Blessings for 2009 (Big and Small):

First and foremost I am thankful for Life, the air that I breathe and the sun that warms by back even on the coldest days.

I am thankful for my 3 happy and healthy children, they are the greatest gift I have been given and make each day brighter.

I have a new relationship with my Grandmother who I hadn't had contact with in more than 20 years, for my Grandma P. I am very thankful, she is a beautiful lady who casts rays of sunshine all around her!

I am also blessed to have my Mom still alive and healthy, though we may be 2000 miles apart she is a big inspiration for me and will always be close to my heart.

Although I may not be able to see all of them often I am thankful for my large family. When I shut down the pity party and look around I can find support all around me, everywhere I turn there is my family!

I have a brother and sister who love me as much as i do them, this day and every day I owe them a smile and they are counted twice when I count blessings.

I even found a brighter side to my Dad not being at our table this year, looking past the grief I am thankful that my Dad is out of pain and will not suffer through another day on earth. That was a hard one, at times I want to be selfish and have him here regardless of his pain.

My friends, when I think about the daily blessings my friends offer me it makes me cry tears of joy instead of sadness. I have friends through all walks of my life, those who came for a reason, a season, and those who are there for a lifetime. Each and every one has impacted my life greatly and I am equally thankful for them all. For the few that are near and dear each day, helping me get over each bump in the road I feel very blessed, they know who they are!

Thanksgiving dinner this year will be a grand event at our home, even after nearly being cancelled we are set to have a houseful of people who love us and care. What a blessing to have friends and family gathered to give thanks for the day of togetherness we have been given. I am thankful to not ever have to be truly alone no matter what is trying to bring me down.

I am also thankful for all of you here at AC, you consistently read my ramblings and stories and offer a great deal of inspiration through your own. I am thankful to each one of you who comments, for every cyber hug received, and for helping inspire me to write.

When I step back and look, I have more blessings than can be counted in any one day. It is the presence of each blessing, no matter how big or small it may seem, that brings joy to my life.

From my family to yours, on this very special holiday, I want to send out bright cheerful greetings. May you and yours be blessed in every way, may the day bring many smiles, laughter galore, and lot's of full bellies!