Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Giving Thanks

In my family we have a Thanksgiving tradition of going around the table and each sharing something that we are thankful for. One year, soon after one of Drew's hospitalizations, I got all teary and said that I was thankful for...antibiotics. Yep, I know it's cheesey, but I'm a cheesey kind of girl. And every year I am reminded that I said that. So, even though I know its sentimental, I thought I'd make a list of what I'm thankful for this year.

I am thankful that today I spent the day with my kids. We read books and played outside. We were silly and spent a lot of time just laughing together. They are both healthy. They are both happy. They are both adorable. I get to stay home and take care of them. I am so lucky.

I am thankful that I have a husband who loves and supports me even when I think I'm not very loveable. He is my safe place. We have fun together. We work hard together. We are a good team. I am so lucky.

I am thankful for my parents who made sacrifices to give me every opportunity. I appreciate the rules they made and the lessons they taught me. They continue to sacrifice, worry about me and love me to this day. I am so lucky.

I am thankful for my God, who loves me more than I can understand. I know that I am learning and growing through my struggles. I know that God will redeem my every sorrow. I know that he walks with me through it all. I am so lucky.

I am thankful for my friends. For the friends who can listen to me cry, the ones who can point out the postives, the ones that I can dance with all night long, the ones that I can shop with, the ones that I can just watch TV with, the ones that I can support, the ones who pray for me and the ones who have known me forever. I am so lucky.

I am thankful that we live in the U.S., that we have good health insurance, a house to live in, food to eat, our health, each other. I am thankful for all the wonderful doctors, nurses, therapists, and other heart families we have met. I am thankful for antibiotics.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

*we* are so lucky to have you in our lives, and i'm basically speaking for everyone here. even the cranky neighbors who don't know how lucky they are to have such sweet himmels in such close proximity. thanks for posting this andrea; i love you very much and i admire you and am proud of you at the same time. is that weird? i don't care. happy thanksgiving!

Valerie said...

I am thankful that I have gotten to know you so much better these past few months. I am thankful that you have been a big supporter of Hearts of Hope.

Happy Thanksgiving Dear Andrea

PS: I like this idea, I may ahve to use it on my Blog....if you don't mind.

DeAnna said...

Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for you and your call every Tuesday, your listening ear and support! Your the best!

Amy, Steve, Molly, Paige and Garrett said...

I'm thankful for your post and the reminder that God has blessed us SOOOOOOO abundantly.
Amy

Anonymous said...

Hi Andrea, What a beautiful post. I am thankful to have such a wonderful daughter! I am also thankful that you chose Dan and together gave us the most beautiful, sweet, unique grandchildren I could have ever hoped for. Finally, I am thankful that you are passing on family traditions to a new generation. What a blessing!
Love, Mom