Happy Thanksgiving!

On this Thanksgiving holiday, I am thankful...

I'm thankful for my wonderful husband who has been my best friend and my partner for nearly 20 years, through good times and bad.
I'm thankful for our two beautiful, bright, healthy children who provide so much joy and light in our lives.
I'm thankful for all of our extended family who are always supportive and never overbearing.
I'm thankful for all my friends, near and far. Both the friends who I get to spend time with on a regular basis, and those who I keep up with on social media.
I'm thankful that we such an abundance of love and wonderful people in our lives.
I'm thankful for my new job which fits me like a glove, and all of my wonderful co-workers.
I'm thankful for our cozy home in a quiet neighborhood that keeps us warm and safe.
I'm thankful that my complaints fall into two categories: fairly inconsequential annoyances, or sadness for blessings that are no longer a part of my life. I am very fortunate that I rarely have to worry about life or death issues, unlike so many others in the world.
I'm thankful for the soft, beautiful snow that's falling on this Thanksgiving morning.
I'm thankful that I get to see my mom and my brother with his family today. I will still miss my dad at the holiday table, but that falls into the category of blessings that are no longer a part of my life; I'm grateful for the 40 years I had with him.
I'm thankful that I get to see my in-laws and my brother-in-law with his family tomorrow.
I'm thankful that my life is so full of blessings that I could make this list much, much longer.

I hope all of my readers have a wonderful Thanksgiving and are feeling as blessed as I am today!

Gratitude and Friendship

I wasn't able to post last night because we were out with my brother-in-law and his family since they're in town visiting.  My sister-in-law used to be my closest female friend, but several years ago she and her husband (my husband's brother) went through a transformation because they were dissatisfied with their lives.  It was very difficult for all of us and they weren't willing to discuss anything other than the changes they were making, so I lost that friendship.  We never stopped talking or anything, I just couldn't share my deepest thoughts and what was going in my life any longer.  As part of the transformation, they eventually moved away to buy property and get away from the prevailing political and religious beliefs in the Denver metro area.

They got in Tuesday night and the conversations I've been having with my sister-in-law feel very much like the old conversations pre-transformation.  It's almost like it was about 6 years ago again.  I'm not sure why this is; maybe it's because they're happier with their life now and don't feel it's necessary to constantly discuss it or try to convert everyone.  But whatever the reason, I'm feeling extremely grateful for this time and the chance to catch up.  I don't think my husband is having exactly the same experience with his brother, he also lost his closest male friend and concert buddy when this happened.  But I think he's finding it much easier to be with his brother than it had been in long time.  Plus, I'm really glad to see my nieces again since these kiddos grow up so darn fast!

We only get a few days with them here and then they'll head back home.  But I'm going to try to really enjoy the visit while they're here.  It's nice to be pleasantly surprised by people and to just feel gratitude for what is right now.

Choosing to Laugh

I posted pictures yesterday of the spring flowers in the snow.  What I didn't post about was the crazy line at the bus station, partly because I was otherwise occupied and hardly noticed.  I read several blogs by women who are in situations similar to mine:  Trying to balance the demands of being a wife, mother, and employee at the same time.  One of those blogs was making me laugh out loud while I was standing in that line at the bus station waiting to come home to my family.  So obviously I highly recommend checking it out here at the Planting Dandelions blog.

I have been thinking some about regret.  What I really regret in my life is not appreciating and enjoying enough when things have been going well in the past.  So I truly believe it's time to put more effort into doing just that with the good things I have right now.  There are things that I wish were different in my life.  I would like to work part time.  I would like to live in a more rural area.  I would like to sleep better and feel more rested.  But none of those things preclude enjoying all of the wonderful things that I do have in my life.  I have a devoted husband and two wonderful children.  We have everything we need and much of what we want.  We live in a place and time where we know we're safe, secure, and free.  I'm allowed to post anything I want here.  Although I like to remind people that freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from the consequences of that speech.  It's a good life, and I'm choosing to enjoy it and laugh out loud as much as possible.

Springtime in Colorado

Sunday's official high temperature in Denver was 84 degrees Fahrenheit.  Today it's snowing.  I love living in a state that keeps me on my toes!

Choosing to be...Grateful

I'm very grateful for my walk tonight.  I could smell the homey aroma of a fire burning in a fireplace.  The air was crisp but comfortable.

I'm also extremely grateful for the creek that runs through our neighborhood and allows me to feel like I'm out in nature in the middle of suburbia.