my daily blurg.: a time of thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving week .... the kick-off to the holiday season. Also my favorite time of year. Family, friends, get togethers. The decorations, the smells, the lights. Seeing the delight in my kiddos eyes.

Thanksgiving ... yes, we feast and indulge. But I love the fact that we start by simply being thankful. Sharing what we are thankful for .... its somewhat of our family tradition.

So thankfulness is on my heart. Trials, joys, attitudes, peace. Amidst it all, (and in one way or another, all have come through our home this year), thankfulness is foremost on my mind. My husband and the strength of our marriage. My children, their hearts and character. All of my family. My friendships. Truth. Our health, our home. My work. God. Without Him I am nothing. So very much to be thankful for ....

To stop, to be quiet, to count the blessings .... is overwhelming, there are so many.

Yet it's so easy to get caught up in life. And I am guilty. We are busy. We live in a busy society. A busy time. There are so many pressures that come with owning a home, parenting, family relationships, work, school, finances, expectations. Not to mention personal feeling. Emotions. Insecurities. It's so easy getting caught up in the routine, the "lets get from one thing to the next" mentality, that sometimes we forget to enjoy the gifts that are all around us.

I know I am the guilty. Stress, in dwelling, and at times in having my own "pity party." And once the stress settles in, an insecurity surfaces .... they can spiral. I act on emotion.

Thanksgiving reminds me of a dear friend. She and her children use to spend the holiday with us each year. They were family. We haven't spoken in a couple of years now. A relationship that went terribly wrong. It saddens me and hurts to think about. Not a Thanksgiving has gone by though that I haven't thought about her and prayed the best for her and her family.

Looking back at those situations throughout this year when things seemed tough or uncomfortable, not to be what I thought or wanted, I can also see the good. We have each grown, I have grown, relationships strengthened, characters developed.

To step back and truly look at the blessings given to me is unreal. I know that all I have done, been through over the years has brought me to today. And for that I am thankful.

I want to slow down and enjoy the life given to me. Make every moment count. Live life to the fullest.

Pie asked me last night if I wanted to sit by the fire, play a board game and just talk. We did. And how much fun it was .... I love to hear her thoughts and opinions. Watching her dance, sing, playing make believe.

I find myself running around town so often. Kiddos here and there, errands, work. Sometimes I don't take the time to notice the beauty around me. But it is .... I love where we live. Our small close knit community.

Winter has decided to settle in here. The rains have begun. But there's something so comforting about going into town, grabbing a coffee and truly seeing a friendly face wherever you go. I am thankful for that.