Spinning Gratitude

Grayitude

The Spin Cycle this week has the topic of being thankful. But first things first. I am so thankful FOR the Spin Cycle and Jen from Sprite’s Keeper for keeping it real this past 10 months that I have been participating that I can’t even put it into words. Jen you have helped me grow as a writer and helped force me to step outside my comfort zone to tackle topics that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Last week when I checked in for our new topic I found out that Jen is stopping the Spin Cycle for a while. I’m not sure how long or why but I do know I am NOT thankful for that. Sorry Jen. I really like and look forward to doing this every week. Now what am I going to do with myself and who is going to challenge me? Jen, this is my formal protest. 😉

Okay, being thankful. I am so thankful for so many things in my life but foremost, my family. My whole family. My wonderful husband, my fabulous kids, my terrific parents, my spectacular siblings, my awesome aunts, uncles and cousins, I mean, seriously…. ALL of my family is fabulous. I would not be the person I am or where I am today without them.

I am thankful to my husband for putting up with me these last almost 29 years. He has stood by me through thick and thin (literally) and when I see how some other people I know are treated by their spouses, it makes me appreciate mine all the more so. Even though I know I sometimes drive him bonkers, he never criticizes me or belittles me and he is always supportive of what I want to do even if he doesn’t necessarily agree with it. He really is the perfect husband for me. We have often discussed the fact that we know God had to have specifically picked us for each other because there is no one else I can imagine being married to. He is the love of my life and I am so thankful to and for him.

Me, Hubby and our girls

I am so thankful to have been blessed with my awesome daughters. They have all grown into such wonderful and responsible young women. I would be proud to be acquainted with them even if they weren’t mine. And they are beautiful inside and out. Yes, there were times when they were growing up that I thought neither of them nor I would make it to their adulthood but they all persevered and matured and it makes me so very proud and thankful that I got to be a part of that. The fact that I (and hubby) could create such awesome adults just floors me. I love them more than life itself and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for them.

The whole family on #3's 18th birthday

I am thankful for my exceptional parents. I was so fortunate to have been born to them. They might not have had a lot materially but what they gave me was beyond riches. I had a foundation. I had morals instilled in me. I had a sense of right and wrong and family. I had love and there’s not much more you need other than the basic necessities like a roof over your head and clothes on your back and an education and I got all those too. I couldn’t have asked for more.

Me with my parents and all my brothers and sisters (Again taken by my wonderful friend Margie Hatcher)

I had wonderful siblings to grow up around. Sure we fought and yelled and complained and probably practically killed each other almost every day BUT we loved each other and NOBODY better not mess with any of us because you’d have 5 more waiting to take you down for it. We stood up for each other. They helped shape me into the person I am today. I wouldn’t be me without them. No matter their flaws I love them all and wouldn’t trade the experiences I had growing up in such a chaotic household.

Me and my siblings - August 2010 (courtesy of Hatcher Portrait Design)

 I am thankful for my health. I may not be in perfect health but I can still get around and I still can see and breathe and do just about anything I want to. I’m just not a teenager anymore and I have to remember that and stop trying to do stuff I shouldn’t.

I may not be rich or powerful but I am comfortable and happy. That is something to be SO thankful for. I couldn’t ask for anything more. (Except for maybe the Spin Cycle NOT to stop ~ how’s that Jen?)