So Thankful!

As tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I would like to show my thanks for many things in my life. I have come up with the following list, which is by no means exhaustive, of things that I am so grateful for.

• Love -- I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and a large extended family that sometimes drive me crazy, but always show that they love me in the most unexpected ways. I am eternally grateful that Dave and I found each other almost 8 years ago via what I like to call fate. I'm not sure how the world works to bring two people so completely suitable, compatible and loveable together, but I am sure glad that it did because I cannot imagine my life without him.
• Friends -- Like many of you, my friends are also my family. I have many acquaintances, but those that I call friend are like family to me. We laugh, we cry, we tell one another our deepest, darkest secrets and share our joys and triumphs. Life would not be the same without these wonderful people. I wish that I was able to see all of them more, especially those that do not life in the same time zone, but true friendships aren't bound by distance, they are bound by love.
• Family -- As I mentioned above, I have a crazy inherited family. I never truly understood how important family was until I moved away from my own and entered this one. We may make one another mad at times, but to know that the person is trying to do what they think is best, because they love you, gives you such a different perspective on life and on people in general. We surprise one another constantly with our different ways of showing love and I wouldn't have it any other way. I miss my family that lives far away, but as I speak with them regularly the distance doesn't seem so great.
• The Mammals -- Mister, Brutus and Mina are very special animals and entertain me and love me to no bounds.
• Security -- Its no secret that Dave and I have literally pulled ourselves up by the bootstraps, if you will, over the past 8 years. We have both worked extremely hard to be where we are today and can only see ourselves getting better, gaining more security in not only our home, but our financial situation. We have been able to go from living like broke college students to owning a home, sharing it with friends and filling it with love and laughter. I can only see this trend continuing on as we grow together and share our lives together. No matter where we are, if we are together, we feel strong.
• The United States of America -- I remember being very little when I literally woke up one day being extremely thankful that I live in a country where I am free to be who I am. I have rights here, I am not persecuted here and I feel protected here. Even though I grew up poor, I always knew that we would be taken care of should any other dire financial situation hit our little family. I was grateful that I did not life in a war torn country, that I live in a country that fights for what is just (even though this has been skewed a bit), and that I life in a country where I do not have to see blood shed on a daily, weekly, or even annual basis.
• The US Military -- I am eternally grateful to Service Members, who have defended our country in times of peace and in times of war. Being part of a military family and having many friends in the Service, I know and understand what a sacrafice it is. For many young people entering the Service, it is about job security, but as they grow and mature, it becomes more than that.
• My Education -- I am so grateful that my parents instilled in me at an early age that I would be going to college. It was never even a thought to me that I would stop my education once I finished high school. With that being said, I am currently the only one in my immediate family with a college degree. The day I was handed my diploma, well, I can't even tell you how happy I was. I plan on going back and getting my masters and I am so grateful that I even have that as an option.

The list could go on and on for days. I am so grateful for all of the blessings that I have had and even for all of the tribulations that I have faced and continue to face.

Thanks to all of you who read this as well. I don't know how many people read this and that is ok...it is just me letting you into my life, and I hope that out of all the dribble and nonsense, you are able to find something to help you in your own life.  Not sure what that would be, but one can hope, right?

Happy Thanksgiving!