Giving Thanks

“Life sucks and then you die.” Anyone heard that line before? I’ve not only heard it, but full disclosure...I’ve said it. Multiple times. Mostly in jest. It’s just so easy to be negative, to focus on the things that aren’t perfect. So, I’m going to turn that thinking on its head and use this month’s blog to reflect on the things I’m thankful for.  

First, I woke up again today on the right side of the sod. That feels like a good place to start. Some people weren’t so fortunate. The fact that I’m still here, still breathing, still able to move about this good earth with relative ease, is something to be thankful for.  

And I’m not here alone. I have the best family in the world. I’m thankful for my parents. Without them, I wouldn’t even be here. I’m thankful they are still alive and well, live close by, and they still love me. Even though I’ve likely been on their very last nerve multiple times over the past six decades. I’m also thankful for my siblings. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Our childhood together helped shaped the adult I became. They’ve always had my back, as I’ve had theirs. Now that we’re grown-ups (really grown up...like kind of senior citizens...eek!), I’m thankful we still love each other. Some families aren’t so lucky. 

I’m thankful for my husband. He’s funny, loyal and extremely tolerant of my annoying traits. He has seen the worst of me and chooses to love me anyway. He is the other half of my heart and my best friend. I don’t know how I got so lucky. 

I’m thankful for my kids. My daughter is the absolute best daughter in the entire universe. I know, without a doubt, that she’d shank a bitch for me in a heartbeat. Luckily, I’ve been able to call her off before that actually happens. (Bail money is hard to come by these days.) But I’m appreciative of her passion in defending her momma and her fierce love of our entire family. She’s feisty, smart and fun. She has amazed me every single day since she took her first breath.  

I’m thankful for my son, one of the hardest workers on the planet - he certainly followed in his daddy’s footsteps on that one; put the two of them together and they will work harder and accomplish more than ten men. That boy of ours is always there when we need him. I mean, he certainly put us through our paces in his younger days (I wouldn’t relive those days for all the tea in China), but he’s made up for that tenfold. His love for his family has never been in question. He was smart enough to snag a good girl, our beautiful daughter-in-law, and together they created the best granddaughter that’s ever walked the face of the earth. Don’t even try to debate that one with me, she is the best. I’d be willing to throw hands to defend my opinion when it comes to her. She’s loving, caring, funny and strong. I’m so thankful I get to be her grandma.  

And being thankful for my family doesn’t stop there. There’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and other family not even officially on my family tree, that I’m thankful for. When it comes to family in general, I won the lottery. Not to brag, but I won the friend lottery too. I’m so very thankful for my friends (you know who you are, and I don't know what I would do without you).  

I’m thankful to have had a long career where I made lifelong friends. I’m thankful I still stay in touch with many of those people, even some I haven’t worked with in decades. I learned so much from those I worked with over the years, and I’m thankful to have had the chance. Now that I’ve retired from my day job (I mean, I think I have retired, but never say never), I’m thankful for the chance to be able to pursue my dream of writing full-time. Although the agent rejections sting and the road to being traditionally published is long and bumpy, I’m beyond grateful for just having the chance to work toward my dream. 

Then there’s a lot of other things I’m thankful for besides health, family, opportunity and such. I’m also thankful for the little things. I’m thankful for chai tea, shade on a hot sunny day, good books, great authors (here’s looking at you, Nora Roberts), comfortable shoes, warm blankets, cold pillowcases, frosted sugar cookies, indoor plumbing, golden retrievers, and chocolate. I’m thankful for the adult “M” drinks (Mojitos, Margaritas, Mules), Mexican food, coffee, wine, slot machines and cheese. Not necessarily in that order.  

Lastly, for those of you still reading, I’m thankful for YOU. I’m thankful to have people who actually take time to read my blogs. And read it all the way to the very end! It’s you, dear readers, that I write for. My most sincere thanks for the opportunity to pour my heart out on the pages and have someone actually read those pages. I promise I will continue to try my best to make what I write worthy of your time. In the meantime, remember that life doesn’t always suck, there is a lot to be thankful for, and let’s enjoy every moment we have while we’re still here. Happy Thanksgiving!