I am Thankful

I am thankful. On this night and in this moment and in this life in which I have been so very blessed,  I am thankful. So thankful, in fact, that no public announcement, no social media profession, no blog could really even begin to truly describe how full my heart is. No matter who I tell, no matter who reads this... nothing could ever be big enough, far-reaching enough, well-written enough to make my point fully and completely known.

I am thankful. For everything.

There is a man in my life who works hard every day for me and our boys. We live well and have many, many things that make our lives easy and our worries few. He comes home to me in the evenings and washes dishes when I am too tired to do them. He eats cereal without complaint on nights when I have had no time to cook. He supports me even though he doesn't always understand me. He kisses his children and tucks them lovingly into their beds. He tells me I'm beautiful. Every. Day. He sits close to me on the couch and we laugh at all the same things. He is handsome. He is smart. His generosity is selfless and unwavering. He is so much more than I deserve. I often wonder why he picked me... But, for this man, I am thankful.

There is a boy in my life with the most amazing, heart-melting deep brown eyes - and behind them, a child's brain that is so much wiser than its age. When he came to me, so small and new, he made my every dream come true. A mother is all I ever truly wanted to be. I've watched him grow and everyday, I am more and more in awe of who he is. I often feel like he is so special and wonder, why me?? What did I do that was so deserving of getting him? He is imaginative and extremely observant. He thinks on things that most people take for granted. He tries to figure it all out. He is thoughtful and always remembers the little things that people say and do that most don't notice or hear or see. He has never, ever tired of learning and knowing more. He is drop-dead, melt-me-to-goo gorgeous. For this child, I am thankful.

There is a little boy in my life with a fire inside him that burns brightly like mine. He sees the world through eyes that are ready to take it on, without fear, without dependence. He can - and will - do it on his own. Just three years old, and yet, it is easy to know that he will be the kind of man who drinks in the world. I often fear he will climb mountains, jump from airplanes and visit far away countries... and be too busy doing every hope and wish I have for him to remember to call his mom. His shocking good looks - the blonde hair and blue eyes - will make the world love him as much as he will love it. His charm, humor and confidence will make life easy as he has yet to know anyone that was not immediately a friend. For this child, I am thankful.

It is on this day that we are meant to give thanks. This man, and these boys, they are the greatest joys in my life. I have no greater blessings than them. But I am beyond lucky. I have them and then I also have so much more. I have friends - best friends - and many of them. I have parents who have loved me, supported me and cheered me on as I found my way to become a parent myself. They have settled into my adult life as my dearest friends who I want to be with at every chance I get. They are still and will always be my "home". I have a brother who makes me laugh like we're children again. And his family makes my heart feel nothing but pure pride and joy. I have in-laws who I love and cherish for being the kind, generous and amazing people that have raised my husband to be such a great man and for taking me as theirs when I became his. I have nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and cousins -- all of whom I've seen this year as we said goodbye to Nona and Grandma and Grandpa Bill -- and I am reminded of the goodness of family and the celebration of life.

Nothing in this life is guaranteed. Tomorrow, everything could change. But, my wish is that I always feel as thankful as I do right now - that I always remember that even if times get tough, I have lived a life already beyond my fair share of abundant blessings.

"It is a miracle if you can find true friends, and it is a miracle if you have enough food to eat, and it is a miracle if you get to spend your days and evenings doing whatever it is you like to do, and the holiday season -- like all the other seasons -- is a good time not only to tell stories of miracles, but to think about the miracles in your own life, and to be grateful for them." ~ Lemony Snicket, The Lump of Coal