The Two Things I'm Thankful For

Every year as Thanksgiving looms closer I start to think about what it is I should be thankful for this year. It's at this time of year that people truly realize how lucky and fortunate they are because while they may not be where they want to be, they are better off than others. So these are the two things that I am truly thankful for in 2009:

My son-my son had numerous health problems when he was born including pyloric and pulmonary stenosis and VSD, a heart defect where there was a small hole in the bottom two chambers of his heart. These problems resulted in him having roughly four surgeries by the time he was five months old and I am sure you can imagine how hard it is for a mother, whether new or old to go through that. Through the grace of God and the way medicine has progressed he was able to make it through all surgeries well enough and is looking at celebrating his second birthday in February. Looking back on where we were last year, when he was considered small for his age to now where he is meeting new milestones everyday makes me very grateful that I was fortunate enough to qualify for Medicaid which paid for all of his surgeries and also to be able to stay at home with him while he recovered from all his problems. I was very lucky that he has bounced back so well and that with the exception of a few scars there is no visible proof of all he's been through and that it happened when he was so young that he won't remember (although he still has an aversion to doctors and hospitals). I am grateful that my son is still alive even when he is throwing temper tantrums and is driving me crazy because for awhile there I wasn't sure we would make it this far.

Being a Stay at Home Mom-back when I got pregnant I was working at a daycare so I knew firsthand what the price ranged from when it came to infant care which is why my husband and I decided it would be better for me to stay at home. Now, that turned out to be a blessing in more ways then one when you factor in our child's health problems but it is not an easy road by any means. It's hard to think about how hard it will be to make it when you're use to two incomes in the house and adjusting to one. We are lucky enough, though that even with his one income and the little bit of money I make from babysitting and as a dealer for Casino Knights last. While we can't go out to eat a lot of have date nights all of our bills are paid. We've never had to worry about something getting shut off for failure of payment and we have food in the house. Sure, the part of me that wants to keep up with the Joneses would love a newer car then the one we got when my Honda got totaled back in March or would love to be able to see all the movies that catch our attention or even a spending spree at the bookstore. But then I think of all the perks I get from being able to stay with my son during the day and the fact that we've always had our bills paid on time and I realize how fortunate we are in that respect. So I am thankful not only for being a stay at home mom, but for being able to afford being one without my family suffering.

I know it seems simple but sometimes the best things in life are. I am very lucky to be as fortunate as I am and I know this and I hope you think about the simple things in your life that you should be thankful for and remember them this year. Happy Thanksgiving!!