Giving Thanks and meaning it

As a child we are taught to say "Thank you" when we are given something but I don't remember being told why to say it besides to "be polite". Sometimes it seems that saying "thanks" has become more of habit than the actual feeling of thankfulness. I have tried to teach my children the same thing and realize they may not know the true meaning of giving thanks and counting their blessings. I'm going to work harder on that in the future.

Over the last few weeks and months I have had a hard time feeling thankful. I feel like my hands are full and I am just going through the motions of life instead of seeing the things that I have been blessed with. It's easy to say 'it could be worse" but by saying that I feel shame for not handling all the punches that have been thrown at us. It is hard to give thanks when it seems like there is one punch after another. It's difficult to give thanks when recently one child got in trouble at school because "he wants other kids to think he is cool" and the other fell while on his way to the bathroom and then asked why me with tears falling down his cheeks. And if you don't know it, marriage is hard when there is just SO MUCH going on. I feel like I'm reaching the point where it's out of my hands and I want to crawl up in bed but I took a breath and remembered how I have gotten through similar tough times before and right now I am thankful for those learning moments.

So as the big Thanksgiving day approaches I am reflecting on what I am truly thankful for. I am grateful for my husband, family, friends, dmd friends and those that support me through the hard times. I am thankful for my kids who go through some pretty rough stuff for 12 and 15 years old but come out stronger on the other side. I am thankful for the doctors who help with medical and mental health struggles. I am blessed that though I struggle at times I am still very happy and love life and I have learned that when things get tough it is ok to reach out for help.

Now, I am ready to cook, eat, and be merry during this holiday season, and I hope that everyone takes a little time to reflect and truly be thankful for what they have and for who they share their life with because life is short, don't take a moment of it for granted....it is a true gift!