Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thanksgiving is the one day each year that we set aside to be thankful and grateful for all the blessings in our lives. I would guess that most people would say that they are thankful for their family and friends, their jobs (even if they don't like it...at least they have one), their health, and many, many other things that we take for granted on a daily basis. I, like most people, am very thankful for my family who loves me even when I screw up, say stupid things, or tell lame jokes. I am also very thankful for my wonderful friends, both new and old, who add such joy to my life...whether it be through a text conversation, over dinner and a glass of wine, or the long-distance telephone calls. And, although, I don't express it enough, I am thankful for my job. Like everything else, there are parts of it that I could do without, but on a day-to-day basis, I really love what I do.
Lately, I have been thinking about what specific things, both big and small, I am thankful for....you know, above the blanket statement of being thankful for family, friends, a house, etc. I think most people are always going to say they are thankful for their family friends, job, etc...but what are things that you are thankful for that are specific to this year or this time in your life....things that may not have been a part of your life a year ago or maybe they were a part but now they are more important. Maybe it was a special date you had with your spouse (yeah, I don't have one of those) or a friend, a fun weekend getaway, a great bottle of wine, a pair of jeans that fit just right, the few sacred moments you have each morning to yourself, your Keurig coffee maker, a conversation you had with someone that left a mark on you...you get the drift of what I'm talking about....specific things that have just made life better.
Since I have been thinking about it, my list is rather long...but I'll just share some of the things that I am thankful for this year. The first 3 of these are related to my wrist surgery...but that was a major part of this past year!
~Dr. A at Georgia Hand, Shoulder, & Elbow....an amazing doctor and surgeon with a wonderful bedside manner.
~ My great occupational therapists (and now friends) for their wealth of knowledge, patience, optimism, and ability to make OT fun (and pretty painless). They got me through the first few weeks when I was secretly convinced that my wrist would never bend or work right again. I miss having a standing date with them 2 afternoons a week!
~ My parents...okay, I know I said they were already covered, but I really wouldn't have made it through the 6 weeks after surgery without them! They let me stay at their house, made sure I took my pain meds, carted me and the dog to the vet when he was really sick, took me everywhere I needed to go (I mean everywhere!), cooked for me, changed the liners in my bionic arm, and basically did everything I asked of them. If you don't know them, you are missing out....they are amazing people!!
~The opportunity to volunteer at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston in the Family Library. I am so stinkin' excited about this that I can hardly stand it!! I even endured 4 needle sticks (and maybe more) in order to do this...and for those of you who know how much I hate needles, then you know that this must be really important to me. When people ask me why I am going to give up 3 hours every Saturday for the next year, the question for me is not "why"...but more "why not". I have the time, the energy, and the desire...and as the commercial for CHOA says, "Children need Children's, and Children's needs you."
~My singleness and independence. I have taken this for granted for far too long and in the past few months, I have grown to love it and see what a blessing it is. If I want to come home and take a nap, I can and I don't have to worry about feeding anyone dinner or getting little ones to bed. If I want to go out with friends until the wee hours of the morning, I can. If I want to go shopping for something special for me, ummm...I don't know, like maybe a new Coach purse, I can (as long as Visa says its okay)! There are still times when I get down about being 32, single, and childless, but I quickly remind myself that it will come in its own time and that I need to enjoy this life while I can! So...I am living it up!!
So that's my list...for now. What are you thankful for this year? I hope you take the time to really think about the things...people, events, experiences, that have made an impact on you this year. Life really is about the simple gifts!
Blessings!!
