This year, I tried a new exercise with Buddy. I asked him, “What are the things you are most thankful for this Thanksgiving?”
His answers made me laugh … and warmed my heart.
1. Having a Grandma I love so much.
2. Having you, Daddy, Mimi and Raven.
3. My house.
4. Friends at school that I appreciate, and teachers who help me out a lot.
5. My Papi bear.
Then he asked me, “Mommy, what are you thankful for?” So I realized it was my turn. These are not terribly original, but I promise they are sincere. Here are the five things I am most thankful for this year:
1. It goes without saying, but I am thankful every single day for my two wonderful, healthy, crazy and sometimes maddening kiddos. I cannot imagine life without them.
2. I am thankful for my own health. As someone who lives with chronic disease, to have a quiet year without any flare-ups or complications is something to celebrate.
3. I am thankful that Dr. G. and I are gainfully employed, and that we are able to provide for our children.
4. I am thankful to have incredible family members, friends and neighbors who are always willing to help out and pitch in if we need help with our kids. It really does take a village.
5. I am thankful for my wonderful husband who is far more patient with the kids than I am, does a bang-up job working on our house, is incredibly supportive, puts up with my mood swings, and enjoys cooking dinner (and cleaning up). How lucky am I?!?
I know … serious stuff, right? So here are a few lighthearted additions:
6. I am thankful to have two kids who enjoy music and singing as much as Dr. G. and I do. Nothing makes me smile more than when I’m driving in the car and they are both singing their own separate little songs. Music to my ears.
7. I am thankful that I discovered my inner runner. Who would have thought?!
8. I am thankful for the Swiffer WetJet, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, Lysol Wipes and all other convenient (though not so environmentally friendly) cleaning products that help this busy mom make some sort of dent in the mess.
9. I am thankful for Spanx. Enough said.
10. And at the risk of sounding corny (or pandering), I am thankful that I discovered an outlet where I can pursue my passion for writing. When I was a little girl, all I ever wanted to be was “a writer.” Even though my degree is in journalism, and I’ve worked around the field for nearly 15 years, it was never a word I felt comfortable using to describe myself. But thanks to this blog, I finally feel like I can call myself one.
Happy Thanksgiving!
So now it’s your turn: What are you most thankful for this year?