A Heart Filled With Gratitude

We spent the weekend at my mom's with my siblings and their families. I ate too much and slept too little. But as we traveled home tonight - six hours through gusty wind, rain and sleet - my mind wandered back over the weekend, and the first 38 years of my life, recalling my blessings. Here's just a sampling, which I'm sure many of you share.

1. Another year of life, truly the most precious gift God bestows
2. Still being crazy about my husband after 15 years
3. The privilege of motherhood
4. Healthy, happy children
5. A big, loud, crazy family who love me just the way I am
6. A big, loud, crazy family I love just the way they are
7. My sisters' two-year-old girls
8. Living in the greatest country on Earth
9. Knowing that God loves me and has a purpose for me in His master plan
10. Reuniting with college friends (almost 20 years after college)
11. Pumpkin pie and chocolate fondue
12. The generosity of others
13. Getting out of a warm bed to a hot breakfast (Thanks, Mom!)
14. Beautiful colors and textures of the late Fall countryside
15. Forgiveness
16. Reliable transportation
17. The ability to work
18. Girlfriends
19. Reading a good book by a glowing fire
20. Warm, fuzzy socks (Is there anything better?)

My wish for you is that you focus on your blessings more than your burdens and that each day reveals itself as the unopened gift it was meant to be. Happy Thanksgiving!