I'm thankful

I’m thankful for my dad. He has been the kind of dad every kid should have. Someone to read to me every night before I went to sleep and someone who would play any game with me whenever I wanted. Someone who bounded up the stairs every night after work yelling “Daddy’s home!!” Someone who always pretended to be surprised when I would jump out of my traditional hiding place. Someone who built me beautiful things. Someone who would drive to 5 different 7-11s just to find the perfect Slurpee flavor. Someone who would sing songs to me in French. Someone who is generous with his time and his money. He’s such a hard worker. His family is his priority and always has been. Someone who overcame nature and nurture and became an incredible person. Someone who has a kind heart and a funny sense of humor. Someone who left me a message on my answering machine last week when I was feeling down, singing a song that we both like and telling me to keep my chin up. I’m thankful for 85 million other things about my dad. I’m thankful that because of him, I know what a good father and a good husband can be and should be.

I’m thankful for my mom. She’s the kind of mom that every kid should have. Someone who took me everywhere with her when I was little. Someone who encouraged me to do the things she saw that I was good at. Someone who still does that. Someone who was always home when I got home from school. Someone who, even after my blatant rejection of any sort of faith, never gave up and continued to hope for a change there. Someone who isn’t a hypocrite about church – she lives what she believes, whether it’s easy or not. Someone who is a hard worker and who is always willing to do things for others. Someone who loves her family more than anything. Someone who will go to my house while I’m at work and play with my cats and vacuum the living room and leave food that she knows I like in my fridge. Someone who makes me laugh and who always laughs when I tell her something funny. Someone who I talk to every day at least once, and who is the first person I think to call when something happens. I’m thankful for 85 million other things about my mom. I’m thankful that because of her, I know what kind of mother and wife I want to be.

I’m thankful for my parents. Because of them, I grew up with great examples of how to be a good person and how to be a great parent. And seeing them together after 32 years, I have a fantastic example of what I want my relationship with my husband to be like. They still love each other A LOT and most importantly, although they do their own individual things, they genuinely enjoy being together. I want that, and I am lucky to have seen that that truly exists so that I never settle for anything less.

I’m thankful for my brother. It took us a long time to finally get him, and so when we did, he was a treasured baby. I’m glad I got to see him grow up – and that I remember that. I’m thankful that though there’s a huge age difference and that we fought like crazy, we’re friends now. Someone who makes me laugh. Someone who is an amazing artist. Someone who is an amazing musician. Someone who sees the good in people that others may not bother to look for. Someone who is a good and caring friend. Someone who is willing to help others that he cares about. Someone who hugs me and tells me he loves me.

I’m thankful for those three as a whole. I love to spend time with my family (including my extended family). We laugh until we cry and have fun and fight and get annoyed with each other, but ultimately, we enjoy each other’s company.

I’m thankful for my friends. People who I’ve known for 24 years, 15 years, 2 years, 6 months. Doesn’t matter – my friends are the best. I’d be here forever if I listed what and who I’m thankful for. The bottom line is that I’m thankful that I have so many people who love me so much. Old friends, new friends, blog friends – I’m thankful for them all.

I’m thankful for my cats. Yes, my cats. Little fuzzballs who greet me at the door every time I come home and who want to constantly sit by me and lick my face and sleep with me at night. Who are always good for a hug when I’m sad, and who don’t mind if I get tears on their fur. Who will purr and purr because they love me, and always will, because they don’t know any different.

I live a blessed life. No question about it. I could pretty much write a book about the things I have that I’m thankful for. I know it, and I try every day to make sure that the people who make my life so great know how much I value and adore them.

Happy Thanksgiving!