Happy Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving to all, of course.
(It's going to get happier here now because my hubby just brought me a glass of wine and it isn't even noon . . . . )
Like everyone else, I am focusing on the things I am grateful for today and I decided to share my list with you:
I am grateful for:
1. My husband of 26 years who continues to be my best friend, my anchor, my partner and my soulmate.
2. My children: one who I rarely see in person but who is always in my mind and heart, one who is becoming an adult and standing on the precipice of adventure where she should be (but damn, I wanna rope and tie her so she can't take the next step sometimes), one who is turning from boy to man so quickly that I sometimes don't recognize him when I see him out of the corner of my eye and one who has already left behind all vestiges of kidness and is heading right into teenagerhood.
3. My career: Although it sometimes makes me tear my hair out, cry (see last post), rage (see last post) and lose sleep, I love my work. That it continues to come in despite the economic craziness is also worthy of gratitude. May it continue to do so.
4. My location: We moved here 7 plus years ago and we are still grateful on a daily basis. It is such a beautiful city with wonderful people and for us, it truly is the epitome of HOME.
5. My health: It has been a long two years with health issues. The surgeries are done now though and I can tell I am getting better slowly but surely. About @(*$)((*### time!
6. My parents: I have lost them both in recent years and their loss still makes me tear up (especially at holiday time) but I am also so grateful that I had them because they were wonderful, loving parents and that is such a gift.
7. My friends: Since I moved here, I have made some wonderful friends that I truly cherish. I feel so lucky to have them in my life (and you know who you are!). My heart still holds a few important people from before I moved (Elsie, Bev) and I am also grateful that despite thousands of miles, we are still close. For my darlin friend Shayne, I am grateful that despite your dire diagnosis, you are still here with us a year later.

For each of these things, I am deeply thankful. I hope that whoever reads this is also filled with appreciation for similar treasures. After all, for most of us, this holiday is not so much about cooking turkey and thinking about the pilgrims but about spending the day focusing on the people we love.