Everyday Thanksgiving!

When I was young, I came upon this poem. I tucked this poem in my pocket then, and it has been in my life ever since. I love it. It sums up how I feel about life...

I am thankful for the life I have and the trials I have, for they only make me stronger.

Everyday Thanksgiving!

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings each morning, Thank you Lord that I can hear. There are those who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed tightly against the morning lights as long as possible, Thank you Lord that I can see. There are many who are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off the physical effort of rising, Thank you Lord that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedfast.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic; when socks are lost, toast is burnt, and tempers are short, Thank you Lord for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in the magazines and the menu is sometimes unbalanced, Thank you Lord for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, Thank you Lord for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no work.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my modest circumstances were not quite so modest, Thank you Lord for the gift of life.

-Author Unknown-

This poem is so simple, but so powerful.

For me the simple things in life mean so much; seeing, walking, food, breathing, and family.

There was a time in our life when we thought Chris would never see our baby girls face again, for he was blind. Chris would cry because he wanted to see my face again, and look into Riley's big brown eyes. It was one of the hardest times in our life. What would I do with a blind husband? How can I support him and a newborn? I prayed to my Heavenly Father for help. We had wonderful doctors and Chris was eventually given a blessing 3 months later that his sight would be returned, the surgery was a success. Since that day, I make an effort to look into Chris' beautiful blue eyes everyday....and take in his spirit. I am thankful for sight.

Chris has now been diagnosed with a disease that will eventually cause him to be crippled, unable to walk and climb stairs....and eventually stop his breathing. We are thankful for his good health at this time, and the medicine that enables him to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We are thankful for the sponsers that help pay for the monthly treatments that keep him stable. We are thankful for strength and life.

We are thankful for mine and Chris' jobs that allow us to eat, I have a family member that is struggling with having food in their home, and I ache for them. How guilty I feel eating that luxury cookie, while they struggle to eat day to day. We are thankful for our circumstances.

Mostly, we are thankful for family (friends are considered family in our book), they are what makes the world turn. When we are low or just need to know that we are loved, they are always there. I am thankful for my beautiful daughter, and the light she brings into my life, I don't know what I would do without her. Life would be so lonely without all of you in our lives, thank you for being in it. May your holiday season be safe and joyous. May everyday you have be a day of thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving.