I have seen a lot of "comments" lately about 30 days of Thankfulness in November... although I usually resist doing any of these "groupy" things, I know this is something I NEED to do, because to be honest, I am having trouble feeling very thankful of late...It is easy to focus on the many things that have hurt, frustrated, and burdened us, I need a reminder of the thankful things in my life...I am late, late, late in starting (what else is new)...but thought I would take a shot at it here!
Things I am thankful for:
- My husband: since our marriage in 2005, we have been through a lot of good and a lot of bad...he has stayed faithful and loving through it all. I am thankful for his presence in my life
- Our kids: sure they have totally changed our life, turning it inside out and upside down...but they are a blessing & joy, teaching us more about God's love everyday. Incidentely, they also teach us about asking for forgiveness, a lot.
- Grandparents: you know the kind who: support you as parents, encourage you, stop by to say hi, but don't overstay their welcome, who don't expect you to cater to them, or to bring your children to them, who respect your space & boundaries, your parenting style, your rules, and don't try to force themselves on you or your kids, who understand what it is like to be young, with 2 kids, in school for a master's degree, struggling seriously financially because of other people's poor decisions, with a soccer season which also takes up all our time, who respect that yes, we are busy, but that shouldn't be used as a tool to blame or whine about, who understand that (rightly so) our priority ceased to be the family at large when we began our own family (our priority is US, our marriage, our kids, we WILL be jealous of & protect our time together as a family and we WILL do what is best for us, even if they don't like that it means less time for them), who desire a relationship with their grandkids and work on it, who listen to what you desire for your children and don't criticize it or try to change it, who don't expect you to do things the way they did (you know, maybe it was right for them to spend all their time with the "grandparents" and to let the grandparents do whatever they wanted, and to always go to their house, and to treat them like they were "entitled" just because they had the name "grandparent") because maybe that isn't right for us, maybe just maybe we have ALWAYS been more independent, and maybe we feel you need to earn the respect and trust of our kids, just like everyone else...and maybe because we are ok with only seeing you once a month or less...and you are OK with, because you understand that is just how we are, you don't take it personally, and you RESPECT us....because if we lived in a different state that is how it would be and that is called life, and just because we live in the same town, that doesn't mean we need to use all of our sparse, limited free time on you because we (as people) have needs for time with friends, and time together as a couple/family too and we can't just spend all our time with you. Those are the kind of grandparents I am thankful for because they don't make me feel like I am in trouble everytime I need to say no, or can't be at something, or if I just want to stay home. They are the ones who let me be an independent adult and who understand me ... thank you Nana & Pap-Pap for being that kind of grandparent for us and to our kids...it is a breath of fresh air and makes us want to spend time with you!
- A warm home & shelter: because we could be out in the cold & wind
- and so much more which perhaps I should leave for another time when I don't have to get Ky from school and K isn't on her 4th day of being super sick and super needy...(see #2) ...
and ps. I am really thankful for all those who may read this post and realize that this blog is not written for anyone but me...it is my space to be able to get things off my chest, to "Say It", hurt/rejoice over it, process it and then move on from it if needed...because goodness knows I could go crazy over here! :)
