I have to say that this time of year was changed for our family two years ago when we lost my brother-in-law Bob to menengitis the day before Thanksgiving. I still remember eating Thanksgiving dinner in stunned silence wondering if there really were things to be thankful for. I think we were all still in shock not quite ready to accept that he had been taken from us way too soon. I think about him every day. He was a great "brother" and I still feel a little ripped off that Roo will never get the chance to know him. Then again, I think they would have gotten into way too much trouble together. They say time heals all wounds but I am not sure I agree with that. I still miss Bob as much today as the day he died. I can say that I think we learn how to deal with things over time and for that I am thankful.
I have to say I am thankful for my family. I couldn't have found a better husband for me. He puts up with an aweful lot being married to me. Then again, that goes both ways. Our family pics we had taken are a great example. The caption for this particular photo should be "He loves me not???"
This is the face he pulls when told to act like he likes me. He thought it was hilarious. I am glad he got a good laugh. I am also glad he has a good sense of humor. What good is life if you can't sit back and laugh every once is a while.
And to be able to laugh with him is a blessing indeed. He does things every day to show our family he loves them. He even went out with me for a while on Black Friday. We did NOT go early in the morning, but we went and had fun. I'm thinking that needs to be our new tradition, but I am sure he is hoping it was a one time thing. He also put the Christmas lights up outside this week-end. He does it every year and the girls and I love it. He even lets them help. He is a great dad and I am thankful for that too.
I am thankful for good girls. I watch them making good choices when it isn't very easy and am thankful I was sent these good, sweet spirits. They are an adventure and we don't always see eye to eye, but I need to take a little more time to let them know how proud I am of them. I missed B's birthday blog. I was probably trying to deny the fact that I am the mother of a teenager. Yep, the big 1-3. So far we are surviving, other than the fact that I am the meanest mom in the world and she gets nothing she wants. (and for the record, she gets plenty of things she wants and although she claims she will die without a cell phone, she seems to be doing just fine)
I also need to make sure my parents and my in-laws know I am thankful for them. Hubby and I would not be who we are today without them and I like who we are. Not only are they good parents, but both of our parents have stayed together. What a great example of marriage. I know it hasn't always been easy for them and I am thankful they have been the great examples that they are.
I am thankful for my amazing friends. What would we as women do without friends? I believe if I surround myself with great women, they will help me become who I want to be. And I hope that something good in me can help them in some small way. I do know I gain much more from them than they could possibly get from me.
I am thankful for my faith. What would life be without something to believe in? To be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a great blessing. It brings me strength. It gives me a great support system, and I hope it makes me a better person. I know who I am, I know that I have a purpose. What more could I ask? There are people who don't know who they are and wonder what the purpose in life is, or if there is any purpose at all.
If you haven't already take a few minutes to be thankful for the good in your life.
I could go on and on but I won't. I will save that for the ongoing blog in my head. Hope you all had a very happy Thanksgiving!