Time to Give Thanks

Once again, Thanksgiving has popped up with what seems like no warning at all!!! Luckily, I had zero responsibilities this year as far as cooking goes. All I have to do is finish out this midnight shift I'm working right now, go home and sleep a couple hours, then get up and eat.

Now THAT'S something to be thankful for :-)

Seriously though, I feel like I really do have a lot to be thankful for this year. Looking back since this time last year and seeing the things that have changed around me makes me take a step back to look at things a little differently.

One year ago, I was spending the night with our friends Matt and TeShannah before going to the Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving morning. Since then, Matt and TeShannah have gotten married......and filed for divorce.

As sad as this makes me for them, it really helps me to appreciate Ryan and our relationship even more.

One week ago, I was praying that my Mom would be released from the hospital in time for the holiday season. Today, she is at home safe and sound. Taking her meds and doing very well again. I am so thankful for her speedy recovery this time. It has been a hard year for her. She has had a few battles with her illness that were beyond her control and put her right back in the situation she tried to escape for so many years. There was talk at one point this year of Mom going back to the state hospital. Luckily, she became more cooperative and able to understand her illness and got out of the hospital before that ever happened. I am so thankful for that. With the potential threat of going back to the state hospital for a long term stay, my heart was slowly wilting into that of a lost child again. I don't know what I would do if Mom had to go back long term anywhere. I love her like my child, and I have so much empathy for her and Will that it hurts me so much sometimes to know how much they both suffer because of her illness.

Our friends Jeff and Karen have brought a new addition to this world, so Ryan and I are considering ourselves a new Aunt and Uncle again. They delivered a healthy baby boy at home last week. It sounded like everything went very well. I was extrememly relieved. Being a healthcare worker, I like the convenience of having a doctor at my beck and call when ever I need them, and especially if something goes wrong. I have the utmost respect for anyone who is willing to go through such a huge ordeal at home, but honestly, I was worried sick. Today I am very thankful that Byrne Rathmann came into this world without any complications. He and his Mommy and Daddy are all happy and healthy.

Of course, there is my family. How could you ever get through Thanksgiving without getting a little warm and fuzzy about the family. I have some mixed feelings about Thanksgiving this year because my Uncle Dale passed away last May and this is the first big holiday without him. I feel for Andrea, Brent, Rosie, Rich the girls, and especially Aunt Sissy. I know this will be difficult, but I also see this as the perfect opportunity to see how wonderful our family really is. Even though we have a huge part of our family missing this year, we will be there for one another, and we will be just fine. I am thankful for the healing that has covered us over these last few months without Uncle Dale. He would feel better knowing that we were going on with our routines. I will always mourn the loss of my Uncle Dale, but this year, I'm especially thankful for the relationship I had with him. I would be a different person without Uncle Dale's influence.

So much to be thankful for......so little brain space to acknowledge it all.

I love you guys!!!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!