Nov 25, 2021
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I love coming home and seeing my #americanflag waving so proudly, especially after difficult days. It reminds me to be grateful and humble in spite of any difficulties that I may be enduring. And to put a smile on my face even in my toughest moments! #gratitude #thanfulness #theamericandream #thankyoulord #godisawesome (at San Bernardino, California)
Gratitude changes us.
Oscar Auliq-Ice
Gratitude is a powerful trait.
Oscar Auliq-Ice
The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.
Henry Ward Beecher
30 Days of Thankfulness Challenge
I have posted one of these a day for the Month of November on my facebook account, decided I should consolidate them all into one posting..
30 days of what I'm thankful for... Hmmmm Every day I remind my self what I'm thankful for, lucky to have, blessed with..
Day 1: My Children. Even on my "bad" days with them, at the end of every day I know how blessed I am to have them. They are an unparalleled marvel.
Day 2: My Partner. After what seemed a lifetime apart, with partners that didn't really fit, we found each other. We are amazing together. He completes me. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful to have such a wonderful, loving man by my side. I appreciate him beyond measure.
Day 3: my parents. Although we don't always see eye to eye, I know I can depend on them to be there for me, continually pushing me to be better, in their separate manners. And, they will back me no matter what (although sometimes difficult to begin with).
Day 4: My Job I work for one of the most awesome business's around! Wonderful Boss, Great co-workers, out of this world flexibility, and some of the most unique and amazing customers around! Thank you for the last 14 (official) years!!
Day 5: Myself I know it may seem an odd thing to be thankful for... But after many years of not knowing, of being unsure, shy, scared, hidden, I finally found the strength to face the inner me head on and decide who I wanted to be on the outside. I love who I am. I'm not afraid anymore. I know that some people may not like how I act, what I say, or what I believe in, but, they don't have to live with me. I am openly honest to a fault, I am loving, forgiving, often opinionated, and rarely inhibited.
Day 6: Today. When all is said and done I am thankful that today happened and that it is now coming to a close. Certain outcomes I'm not happy about, but will have to learn to live with. Tomorrow is another day and we just keep trudging forward toward a higher goal.
Day 7: My Home. Home is where the heart is, so it is said. My heart is most definitely where I live. I am thankful that I have a roof over my head, that houses the entirety of my family. We may not live in the nicest of houses, or have the most current and expensive gadgets, but we have love.. and a lot of it.
Day 8: Alaska. Yes, you read that right. I am thankful that I live in such a marvelous place. Alaska is and always has been my favorite place to be. Uninterrupted nature footstep away, drive for an hour and you’re in another world surrounded by Majestic scenery. Generally nice and courteous people. And no really big cities or crowds to deal with. This, is my Home.
Day 9: the 10 min my house is clean... Ok I know some of you will understand. With children in the house it's hardly ever clean.. So after you've busted your butt all day to clean it, and you have those few minutes to relish in the fact it's clean, it makes you proud. Of course, after the kids get going again, it's all gone and you question why you did it at all.. I DID IT FOR MY 10 MIN! Haha
Day 10: Friendship. I have had many kinds of friendships, spanning throughout my life. Some have been short lived, others have been touch and go.. And a few have held with me no matter what. I cherish my friends, and am very thankful to have had all of them, regardless of where they are now. You have helped me become the person I am today, for better or worse. Thank You.
Day 11: Patience. Today I am thankful for patience. Typically I have an abundance of patience, but on days like today, I get tested. Taking 4 children on errands and shopping can be very taxing. (There's a reason I prefer shopping without kids) I am thankful that not only I have patience, but the people who are often around me as well.. (Tolerance is a completely different thing haha)
Day 12: Freedom of speech. Most days I say and do pretty much whatever I want to. I sensor myself due to respect for those around me, but usually don't really care. I am who I am, and will say what I want to say. The fact that I can have this attitude is not something I take lightly, and am very thankful that I can have a voice, even when all it is intended to do is make someone laugh.
Day 13 (a day late): Indoor plumbing. As much fun as outhouses are.. I am very thankful that when I have to pee in the middle of the night (or anytime really) I don't have to trudge through snow, after throwing on all my gear/clothing, just to spend my 30 seconds to go potty. Also quite thankful I don't have to worry about my children falling down the hole and having to get them back out haha.
Day 14: logic and reason. Some people in this world do not possess either.. I am very thankful that I have a Level head and ability to use logic and reason along with my emotions to govern my life.
Day 15: Sarcasm and Humor I am extremely thankful to have a sense of humor and the use of sarcasm. I am also very thankful that I work in a place that allows both those to flourish, and that my family is right there with me most days.
Day 16: Movies and Music. I really couldn't imagine my days without the added bonus of movies, shows, or music. I love getting lost in them. I could listen to music all day long and not get tired of it. On my free days I was once able to do non-stop marathons of movie and show watching (pre kids obviously). I am thankful, that there are people out there creative enough to come up with these marvelous things.. And even more so thankful I have the freedom to enjoy them.
Day 17: Insurance, Native Benefits and Denali KidCare. With the amount that one of the girls inevitably need to go to the doctor, I am very thankful we don't have to cover much out of pocket for services. For my two, I'm thankful that the insurance coverage they have is as good as it is.. Minimal amount co-pays are awesome.
Day 18: Appreciation. I am thankful that I receive appreciation from the people that matter the most in my life. I am also thankful that I am capable of acknowledging those I should appreciate. Not a day goes by that there isn't someone you should appreciate, and if we would all voice and show that appreciation more often, well, the world just might be a better place.
Day 19: Support and Understanding. We all have different people that we lean on when we are in peril, when we are upset or confused. Could always be the same person, could be a different person, or even many different people depending on the situation. I am very thankful to have those people in my corner, that no matter what is going on I know I can count on to be there when I need them. To listen to me, to talk sense into me, to guide me and nurture me, and even occasionally to slap me in the face and tell me to knock it off. Yes, I am thankful to have moral and physical support when I need it, and an understanding ear when I need one. Thank you to those in my life that are there for me.
Day 20: Laughing I love laughing. At myself, at others, I find so many things humorous. I am thankful to have such a wonderful sense of humor, and to be able to roll with the punches. I laugh until I cry sometimes, other times I have uncontrollable body movements, and other times it's just a matter of being quick witted. Oh, man, I love to laugh.
Day 21: My Best Friend. We can literally spend months without talking to each other, and just pick back up like no time has passed. Last night I got to sit and watch a movie with my best friend, the entirety of the visit we didn't really talk, but just being in each others presence makes it an awesome day. We can talk without talking, we can laugh for no real reason, and we are typically right on cue with each other. I love you Ruthie, Thank you for being there for me for the last 20 years. I can't imagine my life without you.
Day 22: my siblings. Although we rarely get together, we all live in the same area. I love that they are only minutes away, and should I need help I can usually call on them. With the gathering yesterday, it's another reminder that even though we don't get together often, when we do, we are all still just as silly and fun together. (The picture of all of us still didn't meet my moms standards haha, but there was 32 taken) A lot of laughter and shenanigans. I am thankful for my siblings.
Day 23: my extended family. For the entirety of my life, there have always been add ons. People who are friends and become "adopted" into our clan. Calling my parents mom and dad has been done by many throughout the years. It has been a wonderful experience to know an "open door" policy. I am also thankful for my Newley added extended family, of my 4 wonderful step daughters and their 2 older siblings (my step-step children? Haha) I enjoy their presence and am glad to be able to claim them as at least a part of my own.
Day 24: Glen and Dessa. I am very thankful that they got to spend the last couple days with us. It's been too long, and we all missed each other. Love you two.
Day 25: Expression I am thankful to have ways to express myself. Whether it be written or spoken, I have a voice. I can share things from my past, I can share my opinion on current events, make silly gestures or serious rants. I can freely express myself and all that entails. I am thankful that I have that ability, and that I also have the creativity and words to make it so.
Day 26:The Little Things. I am thankful for the 30 min lunches, the quick passing hello/goodbye's, the loving embraces, the 2 min phone call, the small talk conversations, the non-spoken gestures, the hysterical laughing, the moments of awe... I am thankful for the little things that happen daily that bring our lives moments, sometimes fleeting, of pure happiness.
Day 27: Sleep I have had more restless nights than I could ever count. I am thankful for the nights that I am able to sleep. I am thankful that the nights that I get awoken I am somehow able to function the next day. I am thankful that when I do have sleepless nights, I have someone to cuddle up to that automatically engulfs me.
Day 28: My voice of reason. There probably isn't a day that goes by that something doesn't happen where I could totally fly off the handle. No matter what the problem is, I am able to stand back and think before I respond, I am able to decide what battles are worth fighting. I am able to decipher situations and typically handle them the best way possible. I am thankful that my voice of reason has made me delete many words typed but not sent, and helps me bite my tongue when I would otherwise bury myself.
Day 29: Holistic Medicine. For 17 years I've been seeing a holistic doctor when things seem to really ail me. I have taken my children since birth as well for treatments. I realize that not everyone accepts these methods, but I know they have saved my butt numerous times. I am thankful that I have the right to choose how I want to be medically treated, and have the option to use all methods available.
Day 30: I am thankful I have so many things to be thankful for. The 30 day thankfulness challenge has been just that, a challenge. There are so many things in my life that I am ultimately thankful for, and to try to actually pinpoint them and articulate what they are is difficult sometimes. There are things that we all take for granted, such as electricity, indoor plumbing, cars, our jobs, and ev
en things like our children, food and our electronic gadgets. When you really sit down to think about it, there is nothing in this life that is a guarantee. What you have sitting in front of you right now, could be taken away in a heartbeat tomorrow. As my mom so demonstrated yesterday, even the fact that I have my children with me everyday is a blessing, and something that is denied many do to circumstances beyond their control, due to cruel and malicious actions by others, and by simple misguided intentions. I am thankful for all the little things that we take for granted, and all the big things we often forget are big. I am thankful, that I have reasons to be thankful , and that I am able to step back and recognize them.
I love how sometimes God gives us little unexpected gifts -- things we don't necessarily need but that He knows we'll enjoy.
A few weeks ago I took a road trip to the beach with a lifelong friend, and the entire weekend ended up being one of those unexpected gifts. The weather forecast was dismal, but we didn't see a drop of rain, we were able to spend hours reading on the beach, and we made many wonderful memories. It all makes me increasingly thankful for friendship -- and for a God who cares about the small things.