Giving Thanks

The last few years have been tough. We said goodbye to far too many beloved family members and friends, we’ve had financial struggles, lost jobs, started new jobs, made new friends and lost touch with others.

And while I’m eternally grateful for my family and friends and all the good things, I’m also beginning to be grateful for the bad things too.

I know, who the hell would be grateful for pain and sadness? It’s through the sadness that I have learned and discovered things about myself and my world that I may not have seen without those struggles.

1. I’m grateful for crappy baseboard heat. It gives me a reason to snuggle close with my husband and our boys.
2. I’m grateful for financial struggles. Watching every penny has made me reevaluate my needs versus my wants. I can tell you, the two were very different.
3. I am grateful for loss. It has made me realize that tomorrow isn’t promised and to treasure even the most seemingly insignificant moments.
4. I’m grateful for lost friendships. In retrospect, those friendships were over long before they ended. They were just anchors.
5. I’m grateful for quitting my job. Going back to work when my youngest was just 7 weeks was awful. While we have to live more modestly, I’ll will never get this time with them again.
6. I’m grateful for the times my husband wasn’t working. He got to share in our boys growing up and I am grateful for the back up.
7. I’m grateful for failure. Enough said.

So, at Thanksgiving, it is easy to be thankful for the things that went right, but also, be grateful for the things that didn’t go so well. There just may be something in there to be thankful for.

To all of my family, friends and followers:

Here's to 2014!

Happy New Year to all!

As I sit and reflect on 2013, I am reminded of all the things, both good and bad, that it held. We laughed, we cried. We loved, we lost. My husband, son and I had our health. We had food and a roof over our heads. Our bills were paid. After 3 years of writing and editing, I finally published my first ebook. My brother and sister-in-law became pregnant with their second baby. We also found out that we would be welcoming our second child into our family as well. My husband started a new job that will set us up and prepare us for retirement. Seriously, am I that old that retirement plans are a concern? And after nearly 3 years, we are a 2 car family again. Many happy occasions.

But with all the good, there will always come the bad. In May, we both lost our jobs, I still have not returned to work. My aunt became ill with cancer and has endured chemo, surgeries and a long road ahead of her. We said goodbye to my dear Aunt Babs far too soon.

I never make New Year's resolutions, frankly because I don't keep them. But I always look forward to the promise of a new year and a clean slate. There are many exciting things happening in 2014 for my family and those around us. And I am excited to share those moments with them and you.

My wish for all of you is that you make the best out of every day. Leave the pain and hurt and anger of last year behind and wake up each day with a new perspective. Every day, not just New Year's Day, is a day to start over. Be thankful for what you have and work hard for the things you want. Make things happen. Be kind. Love each other. Remember that a simple smile or "good morning" to a stranger could change their day. Pay it forward. With a little kindness and care for those around us, the world will be a better place. Be the kind of person that you would want your children to be. Put down the technology and spend time with your children; you will never get these years back (this I am personally guilty of). Slow down. Take the time to do the things you love, the dishes can wait.

Here's to a happy, healthy and joyous New Year!