Things to Be Thankful for on Thanksgiving

This year has been a long, hard year with the country being in recession and many people may feel that they don't have anything to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I know people who have lost their homes, their jobs, and their way of living. My husband and I have been through some hard times ourselves so we know how it is. There was a time years ago when we weren't sure if we would have enough money to buy food, but we survived those times with grit and determination. That's really what it takes to survive in the world, to become better people. I am proud that we made it through; we didn't give up. No one should because it takes hard times to really appreciate the good times. That's why I'm telling everyone what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving.

I am truly thankful for my wonderful husband Richard. If it weren't for him I wouldn't be where I am today. He didn't know it when we met eighteen years ago, but he helped save my life. I had been on a downward spiral for about eight years with my first husband. He was a bad influence on me and I did a lot of things I shouldn't have. Things that I'm not very proud of. I knew I had to get out, change my life, and my way of thinking. I did just that and a couple of months later started dating my future husband. We fell in love almost immediately; I cleaned up my act, went to college and graduated with a BA in Elementary Education that I'm very proud of. Richard is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm proud to give thanks for my husband this Thanksgiving.

My family has always been a big part of my life, so I'm very thankful for them. I don't have my dad anymore, but I still have my mom, stepdad, two brothers, three sisters, nieces and nephews. It was fun and a pain sometimes having five brothers and sisters, but it was never boring when we were kids and its not boring now, especially when we all get together at the family functions. Now there are nieces, and nephews too, so its always a lot of fun. I've always been able to depend on my family through hard times to because we help each other out when times get tough. That's what families are supposed to do for each other. I'm glad that I have a big family to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I give thanks to my family all of whom I love very much.

Friends have always been a special part of my life and many of my friends have become part of my family. I have two best friends who hold special places in my heart. They are more like sisters than friends. We've known each other since we were fifteen years old. I'm proud to say they have been my friends for thirty years, almost our lifetime. One of them even made me the godmother of her children. It meant the world to me because I couldn't get pregnant. It made me feel like a mother even though they weren't my children, but I got to spend a lot of time with them which made me feel really good. We don't get to spend as much time together as we did when we were younger but we still get together when we can, and keep in touch via email, text messages, and cell phones. I'm thankful for all the wonderful friends I have In my life this Thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for all the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan whose lives are in danger every single day. May each and every one of them come home safe and sound. This is probably the hardest time of the year for them. They don't have the warmth of family, the smell of turkey baking in the oven, mom's awesome pecan pie, or an afternoon spent lounging around watching football. Those are some of the things I would long for if I was a soldier a long way from home. I'm thankful this Thanksgiving for all of the brave men and women of the armed forces, especially those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan during this Holiday season. I hope all of you still manage to have a Happy Thanksgiving.

There are so many things to be thankful for; I can't possibly name them all here. I'm thankful for my life, my husband, my family, my friends, my pets, the clothes on my back, the food in my belly, and the roof over my head. Many people don't even have the basic needs in life so how can I sit around and feel sorry for myself or claim that I don't have anything to be thankful for. Even if you are having a hard time you can always find something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Say it out loud and mean it. I'm thankful for Thanksgiving; a day I get to spend with my family, eating good food, and making wonderful memories. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving this year!