Thanksgiving....

A time of year to give thanks for all that you have.

I feel like it's Thanksgiving everyday. A few months back, I was struggling with so much and became angry, resentful and jealous. Strangely enough, it was a kidney stone that made me realize how much can be taken away in the blink of an eye. I was in such severe pain and I was so scared because I did not know what was happening. I immediately thought of the worst and I'm sure that fear made my experience even more difficult. After I was told it was "only a kidney stone", I was so relieved. When I think about what could have been......
Yes, Mike has been suffering with Alzheimer's Disease for 9 1/2 years now. When he was diagnosed, I never expected him to be with us for so long. I look back and think of all we have been through with him, all that he has suffered, and I am extremely THANKFUL that we still have Mike with us at home where he belongs, happy and healthy.
I am THANKFUL that me, my children and family are all basically healthy. Without our health, where would we be?
Two and a half years ago, my salary was cut drastically. This sent me into a downward spiral I have not been able to dig myself out of. I lost my health insurance because I could no longer afford the monthly premiums and along the way I have lost my car insurance, had my phone and TV shut off (they have all been re-connected...until next time). Yet in this economy, I am THANKFUL that I at least have a job. Each day I can wake up and go to work and know I will be getting a paycheck at the end of the week (no matter how small it may be :). There are many people out there not as fortunate as I am.
My car in almost 10 years old and we only have one (even though now there are 3 of us driving). I am EXTREMELY THANKFUL that I have a car and that it has been reliable and good to us. Each day it rains, snows or it's cold/windy, I look at the people in the neighborhood waiting for buses and I thank God I have my own transportation.
I am so THANKFUL that we have so many good friends, neighbors and organizations in our life that have been there for us these 9 1/2 years. We would have never survived this long without all their help and support. We also would have: no heat, no ramp or no bedroom for Mike and I - without the continued love and support from Mike's old co-workers. Each and every year they have never failed to deliver a turkey to us for Thanksgiving - that's 9 years! The fact that they have not forgotten us, for that we are THANKFUL.
I can go on and on, but I think I made my point. Even though we all have struggles and difficulties in life, we should still remain THANKFUL. Things can always be worse, for no matter how bad we have it, there will ALWAYS be someone out there suffering more than we are. I lost that mindset for a while, and I was miserable. Now each and every day I thank God for all that we have and all that he has given us.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL THOSE WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE!