Perspective

Pausing on this Thanksgiving Weekend, I fell into some deep thought.

How grateful I am to be alive. 
Now, in the 21st Century.
Here, in America.
To be educated.
To be able to be independent.
To be healthy.
To be strong-willed and stubborn.
To be a provider.
To be quirky.
To be intelligent.
To be sarcastic.
To be myself.

I have watched countless documentaries, videos, History Channel specials, movies to remind myself of the horrors that humans can place on each other. 

What destruction Mother Nature can commit.
What illness and disease can do to a population.
What emotional turmoil can be created by one person's words.
What constant verbal abuse can do to a child.

Not that these things don't happen here, today, in our society - but I am thankful that we have some safeties in place to prevent and protect when they do.

Thank you America for my freedoms - for being a person, a woman, a parent, a teacher, and an independent thinker.  I appreciate those who came before me to pave the way for me to be me.

Now, how will I pave the way for the next generation...

Stress

I am quite overwhelmed and need a stress release.

I get a hug and a kiss from my kiddo and that makes me soooooo happy.

I realize that work and it's related items are exhausting, but it's so nice to be appreciated.

Now...I have to get back to my piles of goodies...(ie: papers)

Attitude of Gratitude

It's Spring time that brings bears out of their dens and gives me yet another time during the year to reflect on all that is good in my life.

I continue to be thankful for the people in my life.  Not just happy, but truly THANKFUL!

The kids still 'forget' to flush the toilet, but I'm thankful they're healthy and not in diapers or on dialysis...or worse.

My home may be messy, but I'm thankful I HAVE a home to live in (it's the 'lived-in look' anyway).

The 'Grandma Dog' Daisy (age 16!) barks incessantly at all hours, but I'm thankful she's still alive.

My job is stressful, but I'm thankful I HAVE a job!

My communication skills may need work, but I'm thankful I still have a voice (though some people would question that...).

My hair is graying and my knees crack, but I still have my health (though I wonder at times...).

My house is full of laughter and tears, lots of little feet (both human and canine) and a few broken items - but I'll take it any day of the week!!!