In spite of, or maybe because of, a crazy fall season, I felt especially thankful for the gifts in my life last week and I am working hard at holding on to that feeling of appreciation every day, whether it is Thanksgiving or a random Wednesday in March. I like Thanksgiving in all its historical inaccuracy for the food and the family and the friends, but also because it's a huge, glaring, in your face reminder that you should take a step back and BE GRATEFUL, DAMNIT.
And I can honestly say that a big slap in the face demanding that we be thankful, if only for one day a year...well, it's not such a bad thing.
Here are things I am grateful for:
My family. My large, obnoxious, will-do-anything-for-you-in-a-heartbeat family. I have one husband, one daughter, three grown siblings, two in-laws, two parents, two parents-in-law, one grandfather, one grandmother-in-law, and one gorgeous baby nephew. I am truly blessed.
My support system AKA my friends who assure me I am not crazy. Enough said.
My job. It drives me to the brink of insanity again and again, but I don't think I could do anything else. When my most out-of-control student voluntarily shows up on a teacher workday to help me "organize my bookshelves" and maybe, just maybe, to chat a little, my job is pretty darn cool.
My outlets: cycling, running, skiing, climbing, camping, hiking. They define me, they give me confidence, they serve as the best mental health treatment out there.
How did I demonstrate my gratitude? I ate and ate and ate, I jogged a 5K at rest pace, I skied, I went on a date with my husband, I threw my screaming toddler on Santa's lap, I cheered my sister on in her half-marathon and then I helped her purchase her first real road bike.
Yep, so very damn grateful.
