Thanks & Gratitude

With this weekend being Canadian Thanksgiving, many people are sharing their thoughts of thankfulness.  I believe that our thanks should be expressed or in our forethoughts more than one weekend a year.  However, since it is Thanksgiving I will share my gratitude and my thanks.

I am grateful for all that I have in my life...I would be lying if I were to say there isn’t anything (possessions) that I still want to own.  But I strongly believe that I have all that I need. 

I am grateful for my wonderful family, immediate, in-laws (well basically they’re my in-laws), and friends (my chosen family).  Without all of these people supporting me in my endeavors, my schooling, my education, my trials-and-errors, I would not be the person I am today.  I am grateful for their support when I need it, and when I don’t.  There is nothing better than knowing that others have your back, and are willing to lend an ear.  Or share a glass of wine.

I am extremely grateful for Jeremy, my boyfriend, my life-partner, my husband, whatever you want to call him.  It’s been over 11 years with him at my side, and I consider myself very lucky to have him in my life.  He, more than he knows, has allowed me to be who I am, and who I want to be.  He has supported me emotionally (and financially) while I went to school to finish off my two degrees.  And he continues to support me, allowing me to “pretend” to teach while I wait to get that ever so distant permanent contract.  I’m sure it can’t be easy on him either, not knowing how much money I’ll be bringing to the table each pay period.

I am grateful for having two wonderful boyz whom I love as if they were actually my sons.  Sam & Gimli bring a sense of comfort to our home; yet at the same time, they bring playfulness.  Even with their less than agile bellies.

I am grateful for the kids (M&K and Issy, among many others) that are in my life.  They allow me the opportunity to be silly and have fun, instead of being a ‘boring’ adult.  They give me the break I need from the stress of everyday living.

I am grateful for those that have made an everlasting impression on my life, even if they are no longer with us physically in the world.  I believe strongly that they continue to provide me with love and support from a world beyond ours.

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and to reflect on our lives.  Although you may be thankful that you have many possessions in your life, it is not the possessions that give you true happiness.  True happiness comes from the people you surround yourself with daily.  It is these people that you should be grateful for, thankful for having the opportunity to have them in your lives, even if only for a few short years.  To all those in my life, you know who you are, I thank you for being there, for being loving, for being supportive, for being you, and most importantly for allowing me to be me.  I love you all.  Happy Thanksgiving.