Count Your Blessings 2007

My Mother sent me an email right after Thanksgiving that touched me on a whole new level. I wanted to share a portion of that in this Blog since it is my last one of 2007. There are so many things that I am thankful for… I am so blessed in many, many ways. Yet, this blog probably will not capture even a small portion of these blessings but I will try to anyway:
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First the Thanksgiving email:
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Everyday be thankful for what you have and who you are.
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.
Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced.
Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest.
Thank you, Lord, for life.
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Man, is that a great read or what? I am so moved by just reading those few thank yous!
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Now my own list of blessings from 2007:
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We are blessed in that we can keep my Grandmother in an assisted living facility where I can sleep soundly at night knowing that she is warm, safe, fed and loved by the wonderful staff that endures her daily. I made it through her first year there and did not physically harm her or myself!
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I have learned that having respect for my elders still gets me so much further in life…
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Thank you for my never-ending patience with my Grandmother and all of her antics, issues, and constant reminders of her ailments. Every day is a new saga or ordeal and some days I feel like my patience box is about to run dry.
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I pray for the day that a cure for Alzheimer’s will be discovered… and what exactly causes it…
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Thank you, thank you, thank you for my wonderful, beautiful, understanding husband of 16 months. We celebrated our first anniversary in September and my love for him grows every day. His ongoing support of ME and my day-today craziness makes our me wonder how I ever lived without him before…
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Little love notes on email from my husband makes me so happy…
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I am so thankful for my ability to do my job and succeed in this male-dominated industry. Some days I question why I even entered the field of construction… but, then I remind myself that I would have never met my husband if I had not…
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Thank you for our health. Yes, Mike turned 40 this year and my turning 34 made me realize that 40 does not seem so OLD any more… We were fortunate enough to find a Family Doctor that really cares about US and wants us to live better, fulfilling longer lives.
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Thank you for our ability to afford what life throws at us… we are so fortunate that we both have good-paying jobs and can save for retirement too!
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We finally found property near Pine Mountain and closed the deal in October. We had been looking for quite a while and are so thankful to have found it in Harris Co. and so close to family!
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Being able to travel… to the beach, to the mountains, wherever life takes us…
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I am also thankful that I am able to recognize when I make a mistake and admit to it…
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Having an open mind when meeting new people or dealing with unforeseen conditions…
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Thank you for advanced technology… without it I would not have my iPod, digital cameras, our computers, my text-friendly cell phone, satellite radio, wireless, cable television, the camcorder, and most of all- the Internet! How lost would I be without all of this? I am thinking back to 1990 right now… that is how it would be…
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Having the strength to endure tragedies when they happen unexpectedly…the fatality of a co-worker on site, Jamie at VT, losing Berkeley to cancer…
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Chocolate… the one thing I will NEVER be able to resist…
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Being able to keep my friendships alive- old friends, new friends, long-lost friends… I lost two great friends in the course of the past 5 or so years and made the effort to reconnect this year- and I did!
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I am most thankful for living in a country that allows me to live my life freely at my own accord knowing that there are others fighting for this freedom overseas. God bless the soldiers!
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Lastly, I am thankful for being blessed much more than I deserve.
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2008- Bring it on!