Thankful

I’m not writing about my journey with MS today. Instead I am writing what is on my mind and probably on many of yours as well. It is that time of year again when we think about the events of the past year and what we have to be thankful for. I think about this often throughout the year.

I am thankful of course for my family and friends. (Many friends I have only come to know online and through MS groups but they are still a part of my life)

For having a wonderful man to share my life with

For being who I am

For the lessons life has taught me

For another day!

For MS (yes for MS too) because it has given me an opportunity to better myself and put me in a place to help others.

Most of all I am thankful for my two kids. Being their mom is a gift. As parents I think sometimes because we are responsible for these lives we try to mold our kids into what they should be or protect them from life. I’ve always felt they need to know what life is about. They need to know it’s not going to be perfect. We need to allow them to fall and pick themselves up. Not letting them fall to far of course and always making sure they know we are right there to catch them if needed. I didn’t hide things or shelter my kids. One thing I tried to instill in my kids from the beginning is to be yourself. No matter what others think be true to yourself. Be a little weird! That’s ok. Laugh be silly and enjoy life. We have done some crazy things. Laughed till we cried over things no one else would get. A line from a favorite movie is just one example. Those are some of my best memories.

Both of my kids have grown into well rounded people. They know life has ups and downs. I am confident they can deal with what life throws at them. They are comfortable in their skin. They don’t apologize for being who they are or pretend to be anything else. They do not back down or change for anyone. They are both strong individuals.

Being a part of their lives and seeing who they have become is my  greatest reward in life and I am truly thankful.

So many reasons to be thankful but I just wanted to share mine and wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!