Thankful

Like many, I've spent a good deal of time reflecting on all the things I am so thankful for these past few days. Something I should do every day, but, don't take the time I should, is to peacefully reflect on my blessings. I will make another mental note to make a concerted effort to do this from this point forward.

I am thankful for our health. We've known many loved and dear friends and family that have struggled with illness in one form or another. When your health fails, there's not much else to think about or focus on...when your body is suffering, it's hard to enjoy any other aspect of life. We are so thankful for the health we have been blessed with as a family, and we pray for those we love that are struggling, that their health be restored.

I am thankful for our faith. There are times I don't feel I am as strong in acting out my faith as I should be as a Catholic, but, I do try, every day, to keep it at the center of my life. There are times this falls naturally into place, and there are times this can be a real struggle. I am so thankful for God's presence in our lives, and for our commitment, as a family, to our faith as we find our way through our life journey together. One thing I pray I never forget is that my number one goal is to help get my husband, my children and myself to heaven.

I am thankful for our jobs. I have been so busy as of late, and, while I have felt guilty innumerable times that I have been busy, I cannot even begin to express the gratitude I have for the education and position I have been afforded to be able to do what I love and contribute to my family's overall well being while remaining the primary care-giver for our young children. This has been an indescribabe blessing for what Jason and I had envisioned for our family. I have been blessed to have the confidence of those around me to take on various assignments and projects, and have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn and develop as a professional and an academic through them. I am grateful for those who afford me these opportunities and who entrust me with them. Jason has also been afforded a position that has enabled him to be a very "hands on" father as he is a constant presence in our kids' lives working from home. Though busy during the day, his presence alone is comforting and a source of strength for both me and the kids.

I am thankful for my husband. Jason is the most amazing person I know. I cannot express the gratitude I feel for his unending dedication to our family and the life we are building together. It's not always easy, and, despite this, his belief in our journey and strength is unwavering. Our kiids are so fortunate to have such an amazing father, and I have been so blessed to have such a wonderful husband!

I am thankful for my children. They, too, are the most amazing people I know. Each one of them blows me away with their talents and gifts. They have shaped my life journey in ways I could never have predicted given their distinct and strong personalities! I have already learned so much from them, and I continue to learn every day. There are times, to be sure, that I get frustrated...one of them picking on another...but, that all seems so miniscule when I look at each of them and see the amazing person they are developing into with each passing minute. I pray that I don't screw them up!!! I ask each day for the guidance and wisdom to help them be the people God meant them to be, and to enable them to contribute to our world in meaningful ways, consistent with who they are as children of God.

I am thankful for my parents. I talk with them multiple times a day, and I can't even begin to tell you how awesome that is for me! I love that I am so close to them, and I am thankful for each day I have with them. They know my children well, and this is one of the biggest blessings I can think of...my children can learn so much from my parents. I am also thankful for my amazing brothers and sisters. We have all met with and fought through adversity in our own ways. We are so amazingly different, yet so undeniably similar...it's really neat to see how we all have found our own ways through life's trials and tribulations...and we've stuck together in ways that just warms my heart. God has truly blessed us.

I am thankful for my amazing In-Laws. What a wonderful group of people I married into!!! My mother and father in law are some of the most patient, loving, understanding and supportive people. My brothers and sisters in law are just wonderful people, who are so supportive of our family's journey.

I am so thankful for our friends. Each person, I believe, is put in your life for a reason. Be it to support you and offer you love and comfort, to challenge you to reach new heights, to teach you a lesson (either pleasant or unpleasant), to help you grow or develop in some way...they all are there for a reason. We don't always see it, and we may not always understand it, but, God does. Part of being human is not knowing it all...and, as someone who needs to know it all, this isn't always easy to accept, but there is an indescribable peace in finally doing so.

So, I am thankful. Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!!