November 11, 2009 What I Am Grateful For

OK, I know I'm 2 weeks early, but I am going to start the "What I am Thankful For" list:

1. My health--it's far from perfect, but its better than it was, and so much better than some folks. I don't have cancer or any horrible disease, I'm strong, and my knee WILL eventually heal and I'll be up and running again.

2. My family--my kids drive me batty most of the time, but I can't imagine life without them--I love them more than life itself. My parents, praise God, are still with me and in decent health, and they are wonderful people with whom I am blessed to have a great relationship. I have the best sister in the world, and my brother isn't bad either. I've got some other pretty cool relatives too.

3. My friends--starting with my BFF of 41 years, who is the best friend anyone could ever ask for. And my other girlfriends, including of course my internet friends who make me laugh and cry and are as "real" as any friends I have ever had, often moreso.

4. My country--I am so blessed to live in the USA, the greatest country in the world  where I still have FREEDOM and where we have so much that we have enough to share. This includes our military--past, present and future--and even our messed up government, which is still better than most of the world has to put up with (wow, can you believe *I* said that?!?!)

5. My God--who gets me through every day, every hour, every minute; who gave me life, who gives me hope and who loves me for my imperfect self.

Well, that was in no particular order, and it's by no means exhaustive, but I was just sitting her feeling really grateful and wanted to put my thoughts in writing.

Having just gone through another knee replacement 2 weeks ago, and experiencing significant pain for a good bit of that time, and finally feeling pretty good today, I suppose that may be what inspired this.  Or maybe it's that it's Veterans' Day.  Or the coming of Thanksgiving.  Whatever the reason, I am very blessed, and I know it!