Say it with me - Corn-u-cop-ia...now, isn't that a fun word to say? =)
As I'm sitting here, on this morning before Thanksgiving - having procrastinated almost as much as you can about writing a Thanksgiving blog - I was thinking about all the things I'm thankful for (naturally) and how I could put that into words without sounding the same as every year before hand.
The truth of the matter is, while I am thankful for much of the same things every year, I never want my thankfulness to become routine. I never want it to be words spoken, but never fully appreciating the real value of the gifts I have been blessed with. After all, isn't it the people or things in our life that we've had to sacrifice the most for, or that other people have sacrificed the most for us, which we are most grateful? So, while you read my list items, and notice how many of them will be the same on your list, take some time to specifically remember why these are most valuable to you.
First and foremost - I am thankful for a loving Saviour who sees my faults, my needs, my joys, my sorrows, and meets me where I am. I would not be where I am today without having His hand in my life.
I am thankful that I get to be JD's mom. If he stumbles across this entry, I'm sure it will embarrass him, but I truly feel blessed with him as my child. He makes me laugh, he humbles me with his thoughtfulness - yes, he occasionally has a smart mouth (can't imagine where he gets that from), and all in all he is a 12 year old boy, but a better child I could not have asked for. Each year, I look forward to enjoying right where we are, but also seeing the amazing person he is turning out to be. It's a pretty incredible journey - one I would not trade for all the gold in the world, and one in which I realize just how quickly life can pass, so cherish every moment.
I am grateful - every single day - for my immediate family. Truly only those who lived in our house, will ever really fully understand what that was like and will share those experiences - as is the case with every family. I love that as adult we can call each other friends, and although we are different in some ways, we are alike in ways that make us fundamentally who we are. I never smell honeysuckle or see hydrangeas growing in a yard, without thinking of our youth. I'm proud of all of you and your accomplishments, and although we have all joked that God must have been having an off day or at least a sense of humor kind of day when he mapped out who would be in this family - I actually think He did a darn good job. And on a trash talking side note: I cannot wait until we throw down on our annual Thanksgiving kickball game. Yes, the older sisters usually win, but I think the team Maebs and I are on will have this one...and if not, we've got it next year. Hey, we're younger...eventually we will have youth on our side. That might be when y'all are pushing walkers, but still. ha!
I am thankful for friends who are my family by choice. I have been blessed with a few people who are like family to me. I might not say that I love y'all all the time, but I really do. I a thankful for the ones who have only been in my life a few years, and thankful for those who have stood the test of time. The ones who only know the Kim I am today and the ones who can remember the scraggly skinny blond hair, blue eyes, talk too much, girl I was growing up. Okay, so I still talk a lot. =) And....I REALLY love that so many of y'all have trucks and trailers and have actually volunteered to help me move. Awesome! Don't worry, you'll at least get a dinner out of the deal. Well, and the sense of accomplishment. ha! Seriously, I am thankful for these friendships. I don't even have to name names because y'all know exactly who you are.
Each year, I say I'm thankful for my job - and at the risk of sounding hokey - I am truly very thankful. My job has allowed me to meet some of the very people who fall in the above category. I know - shocking - being real friends with your co-workers. Whoever heard of such nonsense? After all, they are my work family. Heck, we live in cubicle world - there is no way you don't get a little personal information living in cubicle world. I am thankful work at a place where I actually enjoy going to work. Yes, I enjoy my vacation, too. =)
I am grateful for this country I get to call home - and all the men and women in our armed forces who are doing their part to make sure it stays that way. Which this year, stretched to include my oldest nephew, Zachary. I could not be more proud of the decision he made to join the Army. He is currently deployed to Afghanistan for the next year - which leads me to the next thing I am grateful for - all the moms, dads, husbands, wives, sisters, children....who are here trying to make a life while their loved one is away. I pray for the safe return of all of our soldiers, and a peace for all of their family members left here. Too many times, the family members are unsung heroes...doing what needs to be done on the home front.
And last, but certainly not least, I say it all the time and I will say it again. I am truly, wonderfully, overwhelming thankful for this beautiful gift of life. I am thankful each day to get up, have a new start, and forge out the path that will ultimately be my life's journey. I count each day a blessing and I hope to not take a single moment for granted. It reminds of the lyrics to a Rascal Flatts song -
I'm gonna stop looking back, Start moving on
Learn how to face my fears
Love with all of my heart, Make my mark
I want to leave something here
Go out on a ledge without any net
That's what I want to be about
I want to be running when the sand runs out
I hope each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
