On Being Thankful..

It's easy to be thankful when life is going your way..

Like when all your kids are happy and healthy and in good places..

Or when you and your significant other are in love and at the top of the relationship mountain...

It's when things are not going so well that thankfulness is harder.

Like when your son is laid off and having to find a job in this tough economy..

and your other son is so far away on Thanksgiving..

and your daughter is trying to grow up too fast...

and your significant other is going through difficult times..

But here's the thing....

Vince is laid off... but I'm thankful for the time I've been getting to spend with him..

Nathan is far away... on the other side of Colorado.. but I'm thankful for his future in-laws and how much they love him.. and care for him.. And I've got a new daughter-in-law to be.. who is sweet and loving and loves my son with all her heart...

Savannah is trying to grow up too fast... but I'm thankful she and I have been able to come to a place where we respect each other and love each other for exactly who we are in this moment in time.. And she's happy and healthy and smart.. not too much more you could ask for there..

And Curtis.. is suffering right now.. trying to make sense of all the changes going on in his life.. But I'm thankful for him... and all the love he's given me this past year.. I'm thankful for the gift of time.. and patience..

So... life takes many twists and turns.. it gives and it takes... It hurts sometimes..and feels great other times.. but it's always surprising...

I'm thankful for all that life has given me.. and for the things it's taken away.. because if I'd never lost those things, I wouldn't be able to appreciate the great love in my life right now.

I wish all my friends and family a happy Thanksgiving.... and I wish them love and health.