THANKSGIVING 2012
Thanksgiving DAY doesn't seem to fit the mold for this upcoming post. So I'm calling this particular thought Thanksgiving YEAR. For those of you who regularly follow my life journey, you know that I do, in fact, have a lot to be thankful for. Finding my biological family has, for the most part, been a wonderful, uplifting, joyous experience. However, I'd like to let my people know that, in fact, not everything has been rainbows and unicorns. As with most things in life, there ares ups... and there are downs. There have been definite downs in my journey. I won't lie. I can't lie. That's how life works sometimes. But chipper up! This is not a post about the 'poor ol' me.' I want to feel all of you in on the reality of things, and let you know that I AM a human who experiences sadness. That is a post to come in the near future. The following message you will read is a complete chapter of gratitude... so if you're sick of hearing what everyone is thankful for in their life, stop reading now. Although, I really hope you don't stop reading, because we are all blessed, and I can't wait to share with you some of my gratitude. :)
Where do I even start?!
First and foremost, I am thankful to be alive. Each morning I wake up. Period. I WAKE UP and get to enjoy another beautiful day. That, in and of itself, is an enormous blessing. I am a young, beautiful, healthy American citizen. I get to live each and every day as a free person, and reap the blessings of this beautiful land. I am blessed with an amazing home, a warm bed, and food on the table; All basic, everyday needs that we often take for granted, but are incredibly important.
I am thankful for my cell phone, Facebook, twitter, laptop, instagram, and email. There. I said it. Think what you wish, but they connect me to the people I love, and thats why those worldly items make my list. Oh! Let's throw netflix on there. That has no justification. Just pure entertainment.
I am thankful for my big black dog who sleeps on top of me every night, reminding me that I am needed in this ginormous world. I am also thankful for the old geezer, Rusty, who gets excited to see my every morning. Do you know how great it is to have someone eagerly waiting for you to wake up just to say hi and let you know you're loved? I do! And it comes in a small, furry, four-legged package.
I am thankful for all kinds of my favorite food: Pineapple, ice cream, mac and cheese, pizza, chocolate milk, cookie dough, and the ever so popular, WATER! Mmmm, Ice cold water. (Creative eh?)
I am thankful for education. Although I'm not in school right now, I am incredibly grateful to have had the schooling I did, and feel at peace knowing that an education is always at arms length away. Each day is a day to learn, and I love that I get to live to learn, and learn to live. Teachers that have taught me in the past are still people that I strongly look up to, and have been people that I have trusted and loved over several years. I am thankful for my 'students' that I get the opportunity to teach each and every day as an employee for an after school program at King Elementary. I know now what it means to have someone look up to you, and find myself molding into the very teachers I continue to value.
I am thankful for my car, Millie. She's a good car. Not the prettiest of cars. But a good car, nonetheless.
I am thankful for friends! Past, present, and future friends. Each of them have helped me grow, and reminded me how important it is to be true to yourself. I am blessed to have a great number of my friends serving, or soon to be serving, all over the world! Missions are an incredibly hard and rewarding task, and it is inspiring to me to see my peers setting aside their life at home for 2 years to serve others. What an incredible blessing to me. I have a number of friends who are more than that to me. You know who you are. Friends that have become essential in who I am, and who I plan to become. Thank you.
Now the deep stuff. Hang in there. This list could go on for miles... There's always next year, right?
My family. That word has grown immensely in my eyes as I've found my biological family. To those of you who know what I'm talking about, you have most likely read the previous chapters based completely on that experience. I am obviously thankful to the people who made my life possible. Blair, Lori, and their families are very much a part of me, and that is set in stone forever. I have expressed my gratitude for them several times over, and will continue to do so in the future.
I'd like to reserve this spot for the folks that have been with me for my whole life. I am thankful for MY FAMILY. I'm sorry to those who disagree, but I have the best family in the world. With several aunts and uncles, and dozens of cousins, I consider myself an extremely blessed girl to have been adopted into the family I was. Extremely blessed. I am thankful for my childhood, and the opportunity to grow up with a brother whom I love dearly. The memories I have with him are endless, and the wisdom gained is priceless. My brother is someone I look up to in more ways than one, and I get twice the opportunity to do so as he prepares to marry an equally amazing girl. I get a sister!!!!! Blog readers, believe me when I tell you that I'm so excited to FINALLY get a sister. She is a beautiful girl, and my brother is lucky to have her. They are lucky to have each other. I am lucky to have them both, and look forward to the years to come! As we prepare for the wedding, I have been able to bond further with my amazing parents.
To my Dad: A man of few words, and sometimes a puzzle to figure out, he sure does understand the meaning of hard work. He is a loving and kind man, and once you find your way into his heart, he will make sure you are there to stay. I am thankful to my Dad for being someone I look up to. I can easily say that I am "Daddy's little girl," and know that he spoils me. However, our relationship is so much more than that. With my Dad, it's a feeling you get. Times may get frustrating and difficult, but somehow you will always know the meaning of his heart. He is kind and understanding. He worries about everyone, and helps whoever he can, however he can... and he does it without needing public praise. I am thankful for my Dad for more ways than one, and am extremely blessed to have had such a strong rock in m life.
To my Mom: This is an amazing woman. There really aren't words for how incredibly thankful I am for my mother. She is a beautiful, smart, kind person who knows the true meaning of unconditional love. Since the time I was a little girl she has been at my constant care, and continues to do so no matter the age. I am still her little girl, and she makes it known. My Mom takes incredibly good care of me. Incredibly good care of ALL of us. She always puts in 110 percent, and does it with a happy attitude. I am thankful for her tacos, spaghetti and rhubarb crisp. I am thankful for her stories and advice. Frankly, I am just all around thankful for my Mom. If there is anyone in this life that I want to grow up to be like, It's her. If I could become half the person she is, I would consider myself so very lucky. I am thankful for my Mom who has quickly become my best friend- I honestly don't know what I'd do without her.
WHEW! That was a lot. Congrats to anyone who made it through. Let me just round it off by saying I'm thankful for all my extended family, and how accepting they are of me and my crazy, confusing life. Utah games, Disneyland trips, the cabins, Sunday dinner, Gingerbread and applesauce, scrabble, laughter, memories, and fun... Just to mention a few of my favorite memories with a few of my favorite people. Love to you all!
Thanks to my readers. If there are even any left after this post. It was long and hairy, but needed to be done. There is just too much good in my life to let it pass by, and more good not even yet written. Have a Happy and Safe thanksgiving, everyone. Remember why we celebrate. It's more than the turkey, the pie, the yams, and the hard work... it's about spending time with people you love, remembering the things that make you smile. Remembering the things make your life worth while. Remembering why you wake up in the morning. Enjoy the little things, because when added together you get more than enough to have thanks for. We all have blessings, and now is the time to open your eyes and allow them to seep through!
Lovin' my readers!
