Thanksgiving Thankfulness

Thanksgiving 2012 found us with my husband's family celebrating the holiday.  It was so nice to be in their new home and spend time with his mother and brother... But it made me realize how different things are now.  In other years we would go to my aunt's house and do dinner and then head to Grandma Creekmur's for dinner number 2 and though that always seemed so crazed and hectic, I desperatly missed that this year.  I miss my Grandma more than words and I find myself to be so sad these days.  There is so much loss and sadness, that it can be hard to breath at times.  I always thought of myself to be easy to adapt to change, but for some reason the amount that has been placed on me in the last year and a half seems rather overwhelming.

So I am trying to focus on the constants in my life.  The things that I am so very thankful for.  I have a great husband, who has turned into a wonderful father.  He is strong and loving and enhances my life in a way I never thought possible.  And then there is Olivia.  The best thing that I have ever done.  Such a surprise to see how much love I have to give and how happy she makes me.  Every day something new happens and she grows more and more and I am contstantly reminded that this is going to go by so fast and I need to enjoy every moment.  That really is the point of having children, that simple reminder that life is fleeting and to make the most of every moment.  I am learning so much from this little lady.

And then there is my family.  My mom, who is such a happy Grandma, is one of my best friends and I love her so much.  She is so strong and such a good person, how can I not want to be like her in everyway.  And my sister.  I don't think in a million words or years I could ever express how grateful I am for her.  She is a wonderful person and being her sister is truly a gift.  I am so happy that she has found a partner that allows her to be the unique and selfless person that we all know her to be.  And I am thankful for all the people in my family who have made me the person that I am today and continue to be a support to myself and to Olivia.  And to my dad, though time has changed us, I am happy to say that you were the best dad to me growing up, and I am who I am because of you. 

And to good friends, for which I am lucky to have, I say thank you.  I have never been one to have a ton of friends, but rather to have a few really good ones.  I am so thankful for Kelly, who answers all my questions about child rearing and what to do when Olivia is just too fussy for words.  I am so glad that through the years our friendship has grown stronger and I think of her as family.  And Katie, who is miles and miles away is such a great part of my life.  She is kind and loving and I always have such a great time with her.  We can be ourselves when we are together and when do see one another, it is like no time has passed.  I love that about us.

Above all else, I am just thankful for this life.  The people in it and the moments that we share.  I am so lucky and I wish a life like mine for everyone.  So thank you to each and every one of you who makes my life special.