Gratitude is a wonderful thing to contemplate. Each and every day, but especially on a day like Thanksgiving, it’s good to stop and reflect about the things we are eternally grateful for.

This year those thoughts are particularly poignant. I am, as I am every day of my life, grateful for my wonderful husband. He is strong, loving, faithful and unwavering in his support. He accepts me for who I am and encourages me to do and try new things. I am grateful for the 4 children and soon to be 5 grandchildren that we share. There is no his or mine, just ours. When I think of the kids I realize that if I could choose to spend time with anyone in the world, if I were to pick the people to be my closest and dearest friends, those people would be my children. They have grown up to be people that I love and respect. The grandchildren are the light of my life. They just make my heart smile. I am grateful for my sister and brother. We may not always see eye to eye but there is never anything that could make me love them less. I was 8-1/2 when they were born. They were my first practice babies. I am grateful for my nieces and nephews, all different, all different ages and stages of life but dear to me all the same. I am grateful for the friends who have enriched my life in so many wonderful ways. They have added so much color to the tapestry that is my life.

This year in particular, I am grateful for memories. Grateful for all the Thanksgivings I was lucky enough to have my parents and my Aunt Betty. For the last 10 years, I looked at each holiday as if it could be the last. I was the one who always wanted everyone to try to get together because it might be Betty’s last or Dad’s last, might be Mom’s last. This is the first Thanksgiving of my life without any of them. It could be sad but it’s really not. The memories keep them close and when I look at the grandchildren I see little pieces of all of them. Life is good. God is good. I am thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving