Thankful Like Crazy

Today is Thanksgiving.  Matt and I are heading to Turning Brook to eat dinner with my parents.  I am feeling a little unsettled because my boy is out in Kansas City for his first major holiday alone.  I wish I could be there, but it didn't work out that way.    I am so thankful that he has a wonderful job with healthcare and benefits.    I just wish we had large freight lines that run through this area.  I know how homesick he is, especially today.  And I miss him so much.  But with opportunities that are becoming available closer to home,  maybe next year will be different.

I love you Luke.  And I know I have said it a million times, but I am very proud of you.  I am thankful that I got to be your mother.  Hang in there.

So, while I am on the subject of being thankful, I might as well give you the rest of my list while I am at it.

It pretty much goes without saying that I am extremely thankful for this guy.  I mean who wouldn't be.  He is the love of my life, my best friend, and a really great man, all rolled into one.  I am grateful for this awesome life we are living together, and I wouldn't trade it for the world

Along with the great guy above, comes these two.  Matt's daughter Matte and his son, Jacob.  I am thankful for two wonderful step children and the opportunity to be part of their lives.  I love you both.

And what would a blog post about thankfulness be if I didn't mention my furry babies.  Saber, Luke's rescue German Shepherd.  The most gracious, dignified, loving dog I have ever met.  We love you and you have a home with us however long it takes for Luke to be able to have you with him. 

Trapper, we love you too.  You have been my best buddie through thick and thin over the last 6 years.  Thank you.  

Rudy, we are so glad you became part of our family.  I am extremely thankful to Jamie McGuire for rescuing this guy from that crazy man.  

And we can't forget our little Nolan.  You have made  us laugh ever since that day we spotted you at the SPCA when we were just there to "look".  Thank you for being the unique little guy you are.

Anyone who has a family member with dementia knows how difficult that can be.  The journey that started the day my mother got admitted to the hospital for a fall and I had to tell both my parents they were never going home again is one that I am grateful is behind us.  I am so thankful for everyone who helped us along the way.  I am extremely thankful for the wonderful people at Turning Brook.  Thank you for treating my parents like family.  And thank you too for taking such good care of them and always keeping me informed.  

And of course, I am thankful for my parents.  Thank your for always being there for me.  I am glad that I can be there for you now.

I am thankful for my old, new hometown of Oscoda.  Two years ago if you would have told me I was going to come back here to live I would have, of course, told you that you were crazy.  But here I am and I love this place more and more everyday.

I am so thankful for my old friend, Lake Huron.  I don't always appreciate it in the way that I should. But it is always there for me.  

 

I am also very thankful for Tammy.

  The very nice lady who works at the little store a few miles from my house.  I  so appreciate her cheerfully taking care of the plethora of lottery tickets that I bring in there on a weekly basis.  

I am also thankful for my beautiful home and a warm fire on a cold day.  I am grateful for my job that I am learning to love, and that scrubs are provided there.  I am thankful for my camera and how much  it has changed my life lately.  And I know I already mentioned him, but I am also thankful for my husband who faithfully pulls over whenever I ask him to so I can take a picture.  I am also thankful that he makes me toast and brings it to me while I am working on a post so I can get it done before we leave.

Crazy I know, but I am grateful for Facebook.  How else could I keep in touch with the friends, past and present, on a daily basis?   I am grateful to be part of so many peoples' lives and sharing happiness and trials just by logging on.  (and how else would I have known that David Lockhart married Donna Fritz.. and see pictures?).

I can't finish this without saying how grateful I am for the friends in my life.  The ones I have known forever, the ones I left behind in Kalamazoo, the old ones that I have rekindled friendships with, and the new ones who have helped me feel at home.  I am also thankful for family whom I count as friends too, and for the people I have know since I was a child, friends of my parents, who are now friends of mine.  For all of you, I am extremely grateful.

One thing I try to do when I write these posts is not use the same word over and over.  After reading through this, and seeing the word "thankful" many times, I realize that there is really no other word to substitute. I am thankful today and everyday for all the wonderful people and things in my life.  For all of you reading this I am thankful for your support and encouraging comments.  

  

Happy Thanksgiving.