Giving Thanks

After Monday's ever-so-cheerful post, Mommy Mo' reminded me with her brief but poignant post that I should stop worrying about what sucks and start dwelling on what doesn't. She posed the question, "What about you?" What are you thankful for? And I want to take a brief moment to put into words the things that I am thankful for in my life and in this world. Some of them are likely trite by some standards. Some are probably kind of stupid. Some are serious. Nevertheless, they are my reasons to wake up every morning, take a deep breath, and realize that through it all, the stress, the worries, the fears, and the apprehensions, there are still things that are beautiful in this world and things for which I must give thanks.

So what am I thankful for?

• God, who has given me life on this earth and the promise of another one after this one passes, and who always has my best interest at heart.
• J, who loves me despite my flaws, who takes care of me in ways no one else can, and who works so hard so that I can have the opportunity to stay at home and raise our children and give him a home worth coming home to every night.
• Livers, whose constant sweet chattering is music to my ears and whose smile, laughter, and tiny little girl hugs and kisses melt my heart even in the darkest of times.
• Rainbows and bright colors, because their warmth fills my mind with joy and happiness.
• A roof over my head and a warm bed at night in times when people are losing theirs.
• Food in my family's bellies when some go without.
• Livers going to the potty 4 out of the 5 times (!!!!!) that I put her on it today. Two times were in public! (I must complain on my blog more. Apparently it leads to results on her end :) I'm kidding. Really...)
  
• LOST, because I need something fantastical to escape to every now and then.
• Discovering that you can buy supplies on Etsy for craft projects! I have become a button collecting FANATIC (one day they'll be used for something; now they're just pretty to look at), and eBay is no longer cutting it. I was elated to discover how to find them and other crafting supplies on Etsy yesterday.
• The chance to go to dinner and the movies with J and friends this weekend. Even more exciting since J proclaimed two months ago that he no longer likes going to movies and would prefer to watch them at home in his Lay-Z-Boy.
• Dr. Seuss, for enchanting the mind of another generation of readers. Who cares if he was probably on drugs while writing his books.
• My health and the health of my family.
• Happiness in my life. I am in the longest single stretch of happiness in my almost 28 years of living, and it makes me...happy.
• The mass of fabric, paint, ribbon, beads, and button knick knacks that I have amassed. I love to sit back and just imagine what they can one day become.
• Molly and Lacey, my slightly overweight, completely lovable fur balls who show me everyday the meaning of unconditional love.
• Water. We had been frighteningly without up until the start of winter, and our area is finally in a position of cautious excitement.
  
• Comfort in a time of confusion.
• An (almost) organized house.
• Family. They aren't perfect (and whose is?), but they are mine, they love me, I love them, and I wouldn't be the woman I am without them.
  
• The people that I've met through blogging. You listen to my irrational fears and stories of happiness, and your help this week has meant the world to me.

I encourage you to take Mommy Mo's initiative and think about what is important in your life and what you have to be thankful for. It will surely put a smile on your face and a little peace and joy in your heart, because no matter who we are or what we are facing, there is at least ONE thing in life and this world to be thankful for.