I could go on and on about the many things I am grateful for, but these ten things are definitely at the top of my list this year.

I am thankful... for my parents who are celebrating 48 years of marriage today.  My parents have gone through a great deal of hardship, relationship difficulties, financial challenges and health struggles during their years together but in their aging years they continue to inspire me with their commitment to each other.  Every time I call their house, my mom always answers with "dad and I are having breakfast... dad and I are chatting in the kitchen... dad and I..." every sentence begins and ends with "dad and I" and that is one of my biggest blessings.  

I am thankful... for the incredible and close bond my girls share.  Michelle and Bella have the closest relationship I could've ever dreamed of for my kids.  They support each other constantly, comfort each other, laugh together and lean on each other for everything.  We might be a small family of four, but we are mighty close. 

I am thankful... for Michelle and Bella's friends who encourage them, clap for them, lift them up when they need a shoulder to lean on and with their presence reassure them that they have someone they can trust unconditionally outside of our family unit.

I am thankful... for my mental and emotional strength when facing the horrible reality of dealing with chronic pain almost on a daily basis.  Sometimes I don't really know how I do it, but at the end of every day after feeling beaten down by the physical pain I carry, I give thanks for the courage I find within myself to smile and give the best of me to everyone I encounter every day even when my body is screaming for help. 

I am thankful... for the privilege of being able to fuel my car when I need to, for the freedom of going to the grocery store any given time and providing healthy meals for my family and for the gift of having a roof over our heads and other simple pleasure of life.

I am thankful... for a job that reminds me every single day not to take things for granted.  A job that allows me to do ministry from behind the counter and offer emotional and spiritual support to friends and strangers from time to time.  A job that through the gift of Sacraments inspires me to be the best version of myself day in and day out.  Some days might be challenging and heartbreaking, but the lessons learned are priceless.

I am thankful... for Stan, who is my biggest support system, the wind beneath my wings and my constant source of laughter.  Every night when I reach out to his side of the bed and I can feel his warmth and presence, I give thanks.  We have gone through a great deal of experiences in our twenty two years of life together, but no matter what we are going through I know that at the end of the day, we can laugh together, cry together and celebrate each other.  We are not perfect in any way, but we give it our best shot every single day.

I am thankful... for Michelle's new found happiness at a new school.  From 2016 to early 2018, I worried, I worried a lot.  I worried that her art craving soul would never find her way back to that place of fulfillment and happiness.  I worried, but I also prayed a lot and had complete trust that the day would come sooner than later for her to freely proclaim "This is Me, this is who I am meant to be..." and to own her space in the world.

I am thankful... for my friends!!! All those women who support me, who love me for WHO I AM, that accept me, that embrace me, that include me, that appreciate me and celebrate me!!! I am thankful for each and every one of them.  It is one of my biggest blessings knowing that I have an incredible support system of friends to lean on. 

I am thankful... for Daisy.  Yes, that's right!  She brings so much happiness to our home.  Every day, no matter what we've gone through that particular day, she greets us like it's Christmas!  Pets have a special way of showing us what true love really looks like. 

May you and yours be blessed this Thanksgiving holiday. ❤