Thursday, November 22, 2012

I Am Grateful


Blogging Friends.... Happy Thanksgiving!! I wanted to take a moment and express my most heartfelt gratitude for each and every one of you. Your comments were all so encouraging!! I have done a great deal of growing ever since last week's mood swing-induced pity party. A great deal of growing. I realized that I'm so abundantly blessed. And I was obviously not feeling grateful. I reminded myself that so many people suffer worse than me. Far worse. As I sat in church Sunday, tired, plus a bit "hung-over" from my pity party, I looked upward at the chapel's beautiful stained-glass steeple. And I felt God whisper that these mood swing-induced pity parties are Him growing and maturing me. But they hurt!! I don't want them!! I protested. To which God whispered back: Of course they hurt. They're growing pains.

In light of today being Thanksgiving, I am going to express some blessings which I am grateful for.

Rose. My Beautifully Unique "Mystery Dog". A Beagle/German Shepherd, according to guesses. My potentially random-bred mutt. Rose was born different--sans any "choices" in the matter--like me. She is such a joy, an amazing friend and my Heart Dog!! I am grateful.

My family. Dad, Mom, sister, and youngest brother. I am the flawed personality-type who needs a ton of support. They deliver. I am also thankful for my oldest brother, sister-in-law, and adorable niece. May our family continue to thrive!! I am grateful. 

Tony Stark/Iron Man. What can I say? I am thankful for a comic book superhero character. A Hollywood movie character. I am thankful for that favorite scene of mine in "The Avengers". So thankful. Because everything in my story leads me back to "It's a... terrible privilege.". Everything. May I never forget. I am grateful. 

An accepting and loving Blogville community. One word: Wow. I could not have asked for a better, more faithful, and accepting "family" of Friends than you, dear Readers!! I am grateful.

My gift of writing. Because it is just that: A gift. I am eternally thankful for my way with words!! It truly is more than just an ability. More than just some talent. I was born to write!! With that, I am also thankful for my Blog. Beautifully Unique. What a, well, unique, outlet for sharing this gift to Friends worldwide!! I am grateful. 

The opportunity to be featured on Coffee With A Canine earlier this year. What an incredible chance that was!! Wow. A huge thank-you to Charlene for making it possible!! Wow. Also, I am thankful for every Blogging Award which has been passed onto me throughout this year alone. It touches my deepest emotions just because I was thought of. I am grateful.   

My ability to walk. One year ago, this was not a possibility. Because I fell on November 14th and nearly fractured my right leg/foot. It was an arduous recovery process. I hobbled around like some old man sans a cane. I could not point my toes or bend my knee, but I am resilient!! I can walk!! I am grateful.

A roof over my head. We have been experiencing some insane rainstorms around here lately. Whenever this happens, I'm thankful for the place which we call "home", plus our burning wood stove!! So many are without both right now. I am grateful.

Cheerful holiday music. As these words are being typed, Martina McBride's version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is playing!! Mmmm.... I heard Bruce Springsteen's "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" the other day. Love it!! Nobody performs that song like The Boss!! Nobody. It felt like Christmas the moment I heard his rocking version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"!! Even before Thanksgiving. I am grateful.

And, yes, growing pains. As I mature and evolve into the person who I am meant to be, may I never stop learning. I am grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving, Blogging Friends!!

  

 

 

20 comments:

Suka said...

Hi Raelyn and Rose,

Wishing you and yours a beautiful Thanksgiving. You wrote a very lovely, heartfelt post. I am glad you are feeling better. It is good for the heart, and the soul, to stop and take time to reflect on all we are thankful and grateful for in our lives. You have a great list, and I hope it continues to grow.

Happy Thanksgiving!

KrisAnne

Unknown said...

Have a fantastic Thanksgiving and we hope it is a joyous holiday for you and all your family. And our thank you - is to you for being your beautiful self.
Best wishes Molly

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Yes, they are growing pains. You do have lots to be thankful for.

XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & roxy

Finn said...

And a happy Thanksgiving to you! Enjoy the day and smile when you think of each thing you have to be thankful for today!

The Ladies of Beaglebratz Manor said...

From the mom - one of the things I am grateful for - blogging friends such as you who stop by our blog and leave comments even when I rarely leave comments anywhere, even when I read the posts but because of lack of time or whatever the reason, comments just don't get done. I'm like you when I think about Team Beaglebratz (the blog)- WOW - I still can't believe that it is doing so well - and the cyber friends I have made.

Oh and about your pity party and mood swings - that happens to me a few times every year - I don't like them but I think I have come to accept them as part of my life- something that is inevitable - at least for me. I never thought of them as growing pains - altho I do learn a bit and they don't last as long as they use to.

I really wanted to make sure I stopped by and actually left a comment this time - hope you had/are having a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
Kim, Shiloh'n The Diva Shasta

Mary Lou said...

KrisAnne....
Thank-you for the comment!! I truly appreciated it!! ;)
"It is good for the heart, and the soul, to stop and take time to reflect on all we are thankful and grateful for in our lives.". Oh, I concur!! ;-D
Wishing you and yours a beautiful Thanksgiving, as well!! ;op

Mary Lou said...

Molly....
Thank-you for the comment!!
It was a fantastic and joyous Thanksgiving.... You cannot be sad on holidays. Around here, that is a crime!! Hee, hee, hee.... ;-}
"And our thank you - is to you for being your beautiful self.". Awww. You are sweet. ;)
Happy Thanksgiving, Friend!! ;op

Mary Lou said...

Daisy, Bella & Roxy....
Thank-you for the comment!!
Yes, I am grateful.... ;op

Mary Lou said...

Finn....
Thank-you for the comment!!
"Enjoy the day and smile when you think of each thing you have to be thankful for today!". Great advice!! ;-D
And a happy Thanksgiving to you!! ;op

Mary Lou said...

Kim, Shiloh'n The Diva Shasta....
Thank-you for commenting!!
"One of the things I am grateful for - blogging friends such as you who stop by our blog and leave comments even when I rarely leave comments anywhere, even when I read the posts but because of lack of time or whatever the reason, comments just don't get done.". You are welcome!! ;)
About these mood swing-induced pity parties. I have swiftly learned that they are beyond my control. I just need to ride them, like a colossal-sized "tidal wave". I need to "surf". And grow along the way!! But, I also need to avoid drowning in this tidal wave. I need to evade it from "engulfing" me. That is a challenge. ;-]
Happy Thanksgiving!! ;op

Ruby said...

One of the things I am thankful for is you! You add so much joy and light to me and our family! So glad you are in our lives!

Mary Lou said...

Ruby....
Thank-you for the comment!!
You're sweet, my Friend!! ;op

Alison said...

Hey there Raelyn,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Mary Lou said...

Alison....
Thank-you for the comment!!
I did enjoy myself a wonderful Thanksgiving!! I am now officially "high" on holiday cheer!! Happily. I do love Christmas!! ;op

Smile With Your Tail said...

Happy Belated Thanks giving!

Slobbers

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I am here to say hi, and I hope your blessing continue all around you
love
tweedles

Mary Lou said...

Smile With Your Tail....
Thanks for the comment!! I truly appreciated it!!
Happy belated Thanksgiving back!! ;op

Mary Lou said...

tweedles....
Well hello, "Stranger"!! ;)
Thank-you for the comment!! I truly appreciated it!!
I hope your blessings continue all around YOU!! ;op

Growing Gaithers said...

Beautiful and honest... loved it.

Mary Lou said...

Growing Gaithers....
Thanks for the comment!!
I am glad that you enjoyed this post!! ;op