What I'm Thankful For

As the year closes in, it is hard to believe I sit here writing this again. For the past three years I have written what I have been thankful for, and while I do not think many people have read those pieces or will read this piece, I think it is good to actually sit down and realize what all we have in our lives.

I have had a hard time lately with some things. And being thankful and in any holiday spirit just isn't on the top of my "to-do" list. But when I really think about it and I think of how different it could be, I see how blessed I am.

Here is my top ten things I am thankful for this year.

10. A running car. My van may not be spic and span anymore and it may not run perfectly, but it runs. It gets me to where I need to go and it carries my whole family. I am thankful for it and how it helps us. There are many people who do not have cars or some who do, and use those cars as houses because it is ALL they have.

9. I am thankful for my camera. To capture the memories of my children growing up, seeing them with my mom and grandma makes it worth every penny that was spent on it. Getting those early morning shots where the sun is just coming up or in the evening, makes me stop for a minute and just appreciate the simple things.

8. I am thankful for good health for my children. Besides some minor things here and there, I have been blessed to have children that are healthy. They can run, they can play and they are able to wrap their arms around me and hug me and that is enough.

7. I am thankful for books. To have the ability to run away into a book where there are good guys, magical hero's and even some lovable villains gives me a peace nothing else does. In these books romance is true and everyone has a happy ending.

6. I am thankful for being able to go grocery shopping. I may loathe it. I may hate at the ever-climbing cost of food, but I am still able to go and get things for my family to eat. I am able to cook for them and we can sit together and enjoy a meal together.

5. I am thankful for work. There are lots of days, especially lately where I would rather just sit down and be lazy but seeing my kids gives me motivation to be better and do better. Not just for them but for me. There are so many who do not have jobs. I am grateful for the opportunities.

4. I am thankful for music. Sometimes all it takes is a song to come on the radio and I can relive happy times (or sad times) depending on what I choose to listen to. I can go to a rock concert and sing along to some of my favorite songs.

3. I am thankful for friends. I have a few very close friends that are every bit my family as those who are blood related. They have picked me up when I was down, made me laugh when I never thought I would smile again, hugged me and loved me when NO ONE else did. I love them like no other and I pray one day I can tell them how much they really mean to me.

2. I am thankful for my family. From my aunt, my mom, my siblings, my husband to my children, I am thankful for the people who have helped raise me and stood by me or been there for me. I will forever be grateful for being put into such a wonderful group of people.

1. I am thankful for God. I don't go to church. I like rock music. I have a raunchy sense of humor. But I love God. I talk to him all throughout the day and sometimes well into the night. I can honestly say, I love Him more than anything and would not be here without Him. While I may wish He would do things on my time and on my terms, I have learned that no matter what, He always helps me land on my feet. So, to my one true LOVE, the purest, most beautiful love, thank you for saving me and loving me for all my faults and knowing my heart and what is really in it.

Happy Thanksgiving!