Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie
I’m grateful for my mother. I’m grateful that even though we didn’t have much, she always made it “enough.” She made it more. She made our house a home. When Joshua was a new babe, she came to our house about once a week to spend the day with me. She made my chaotic early days with a newborn more orderly. She made me feel like a better, calmer mother. Her presence has always been a reassuring one in my life. Always. She is my past.
Dan, however, is my today. And today, I’m thankful for him. I’m thankful that he loves me, despite my faults and flaws, and they are many. I’m thankful that he’s patient with me. That he listens, or pretends to listen, when I’m “thinking out loud.” I’m thankful that he seems to be okay with the fact that I am a less-than-stellar housekeeper. I’m thankful that he expects nothing from me except for ME. I’m thankful that he’s a great father. That he loves our son more than he loves himself. That he will do whatever he has to do to make sure Joshua is safe and knows that he is a loved little boy.
And Joshua? Joshua is my tomorrow. He is my hope. He is my joy. He makes me want to be a better person. I am thankful for his laugh. And for his love. And for his zest for life. I’m thankful that I’m watching him learn so much, literally right before my eyes. I’m thankful for his patience. I’m thankful for the lessons he’s taught me about my ability to grow and love and adapt. I’m so thankful for everything about him.
We can always find something to be thankful for, and there may be reasons why we ought to be thankful for even those dispensations which appear dark and frowning. ~Albert Barnes
Postpartum depression stole a lot from me. My joy, my hope, time with my son that I’ll never get back. There were times when the bitterness and anger seemed to consume my heart. But you know what? I never would’ve known my own strength, or that facet of myself, had I never gone through this experience. So, for that, I’m thankful, even in the “dark and frowning” moments.
There’s a group of women out there that I never would’ve met had it not been for PPD. So, I’m thankful for PPD because of the friends it has brought into my life.
I’m thankful for Katie, my e-twin, for emails at work that make me giggle. I’m thankful for having a teacher friend who is also struggling, who gets it. Mostly, I’m just thankful for everything about her.
I’m thankful for Kimberly for always being there to cheer me on. For commenting on my good days AND my bad ones. Even when she’s not in the best place herself. You, Kim, rock mah socks off 🙂
I’m thankful for Grace. Because she? Is full of grace. She is a breath of fresh air. She’s calm and beautiful and full of reassurance.
I’m thankful for Blair for being a fighter. And a Bad Ass one at that.
I’m thankful for Lauren for being a voice. A steady, firm voice. A voice speaking affirmations into our lives that this too shall pass.
I’m thankful for Katherine for the work she’s doing to help women with perinatal mood disorders.
These women are women of strength beyond measure and courage beyond compare. I’m thankful for them.
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder
I’m thankful that I’m alive. And that I’m aware of the little treasures in my life.
I’m thankful for my home, smallish and cozy. And not nearly where I want it to be. But home. OUR home.
I’m thankful for my job and my students. I’m thankful that I can go to work almost every day and know that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing with my working life. I believe I’m making a difference there. (I’m also thankful for these breaks that give me a glimpse of how the “other half” lives.)
I’m thankful for friends, old and new-ish.
I’m thankful for wine, tea, and my iPhone.
And, of course, I’m thankful for food. And pants with stretch in them.
Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants. ~Kevin James