Thanksgiving Thoughts.........

I've been running around cyberspace all morning trying to keep up with my blogging friends AND trying to get my goggle reader updated with horsey blogs I've been having to locate the hard way. That makes me a bit late in posting my list of what I'm thankful for on this glorious Thanksgiving Day.......and all those Thanksgiving Day posts have made me a bit sappy I suspect but here goes.........

I'm thankful Lindsay's cancer is still in remission. There will never be anything or anyone more important in my life as my youngest child. While her illness may have left us all with some challenges, she is a joy and I cannot imagine life without her.

I'm thankful for all the health care professionals who help others in their struggles with all the dreaded diseases that carry the name, cancer. This disease strikes fear in each one of us. I know the emotional sacrifice they make to deal with such an illness and it's devestation of families.

I'm thankful for supportive family and friends. I couldn't even begin to follow my dream without the help of those around me. Sometimes just getting through the day would be impossible if I didn't know I have love and support.

I'm thankful for horses in my life. They have given me my life, my sanity, a reason to live when life seemed unbearable. They commiserate with me when I am sad. They bring me joy even when I've forgotten it's possible.

I'm thankful that Solidare's colt, Tango, is now thriving. Just thinking of him, reminds me of her. Even if only for an instant, she is not gone and I am comforted.

I'm thankful there is recovery for victims of child abuse if they chose to heal. Over the years I've learned the cycle cannot be broken just by stopping an abuser. It is the healing of victims that changes perspectives and gives children and adults the tools to protect themselves and future generations.

I'm thankful for the many health care professionals dedicated to this work. I've heard a therapist is only as helpful as she/he is healthy. If she/he haven't resolved her/his own issues, there's no identifying those of others. Travelling the road of self healing is long and difficult. Doing it to help others is heroic, I think.

I'm thankful for my own healing especially because it brought me to horses. If it hadn't been for this option in my life, I'd have been gone by now. Lost in the deepest of dark holes believing I was a defective child, I had no reason to go on until I met Scandalous.

I'm thankful for the roof over my head and food on the table. Being reminded this summer what it could be like for me had life gone differently, I feel even more grateful.

I'm thankful my homeless friends are long gone from here as our bitter winter unfolds, knowing they are safer where they are. I can't help but look outside at the place their tent stood and wonder how cold it would be to live in those circumstances. My house may be drafty and cold but it's worlds above that tent.

I'm thankful for my job. There are so many out there without one, I will even be grateful for the Black Friday mobs.

I'm thankful someone else is cooking Thanksgiving dinner today and all I have to do is make "pink salad" and arrive on time. (the salad I did yesterday morning before work.) I'm equally thankful I have someone who cares about me enough to share this special meal.

I'm thankful that I don't have to work today so I can get caught up with my blogging friends and spend some down time before my Black Friday experience. When I first got this job, I figured I would be working for sure because I was low man on the totem pole. I about did cart wheels when I saw the work schedule and my name wasn't on it for this day.

I'm thankful for this great country we live in. Somehow the message Living in America Dreams Are Possible managed to get through all the programming I had as a child. It was a lifeline that got me through until I could get real help.

I'm thankful for the great friends I've met in the blogging community and the opportunity to make many more. Who knew that starting a blog could lead to finding some lifetime friends? I've gotten your support through some difficult times and it couldn't be more appreciated. I've also gotten a good laugh on some days I really needed one.

Mostly, I'm thankful for being alive. There was a time, I didn't think I'd make it this far and I had little idea there was any reason to want to. Now, even though times are tough, I can see there's always a light at the end of any tunnel. I'm looking forward to the journey it takes to get there.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!