What are you thankful for?

                I have been through a stack of trials and tribulations over the last year and a half or so and tonight I just feel the need to talk about some things I am thankful for. I think it is important to remember the things that make you smile no matter what you are going through. Many people only express their thanks when it is the Holiday season but I think it is immensely important to do it all year long.

Here is what I am thankful for:

1.       First and foremost, my kids! - My life changed when I was 19 years old and just out of high school when I had my daughter. I believe wholeheartedly that she is what saved my life. I was heading down the wrong road but she brought me back to reality and made me realize that I now had the best job in the world, and that was being a mother. I raised her alone and sometimes I wonder if I did okay but then there are days where I know she will make the right decisions when she is faced with certain things. She gives me a hard time most days but what can I say, she is just like me. She is strong and intelligent … and stubborn! Tyson came along 7 years later and clung to life for the first couple weeks. He was so tiny and fragile but was so strong and full of heart all at the same time. My boy beat every odd that was stacked against him. There was never any doubt he was mine =) … Both of my babies were born fighters. They are the reason I wake every day and keep on keepin’ on. I would be so lost without them.

2.       My job – I am very thankful to be able to go to work every day. I spent a year off of work and though it had its benefits it was nice to finally get back into the working world. With my time off I was able to reconnect with my children after missing so much of their lives (I worked 60 hours per week) and I was able to graduate with honors from college. As much as I was able to do with my time off, I have never felt better than to say I have to work tomorrow. For those of you who gripe about work, in today’s economy, hang on to it, because there are plenty of people willing to take it from you.

3.       My friends – I have some absolutely amazing friends that I would anything and everything for. I do not have many friends but the ones I do have are friends for life. They are by my side no matter what I am going through but they are also true enough to tell me when I am at fault. I respect them for that because they feel comfortable enough to be able to say that to me. But they also know that I will be the same with them. And they respect me for that as well. I love them all!

4.       This is where most people would say “God” – I will say that I definitely believe there is a higher power out there somewhere but this is a touchy area so I will avoid it altogether. I will just say that I am thankful for waking every morning and being able to see my babies grow up and hear them laugh.

5.       The ability to learn, and appreciate knowledge – I have always loved to learn new things. I have the ability to learn anything (except algebra! I don’t know why that subject even exists) and use that to my advantage. I put myself through EMT school just for something to do. I believe that the more knowledge you have the better person you will be all around. Don’t ever stop learning!

Those are just a few things that I am thankful for. This is not an all-inclusive list but it covers a great deal of why I keep pushing myself through all the hard times. When times get tough I have to step back and remind myself why I do the things I do, and why I stay away from the things that are toxic to my children and myself. I weed out the things that are not doing us any good and are only bringing us harm. They may not understand some of those things now but they will in time, and I hope they will know that I do the things I do for them.

What are you thankful for? What is your motivation for dragging your exhausted behind out of bed every morning?