100 Things to be Thankful For (1-10)

For those of you who don't know (or are pissed off that I haven't posted much this year) I must admit that I have had a year which I hope I never have to repeat.

To recap...

Last October Dad's health declined to a point that we began discussions about moving him to Kansas to be closer to family.  By March, this situation became critical as all three children witnessed just how serious things had become.

In April, while in the middle of hunting for our own dream home, we began looking for an additional house to suit the needs of Dad and The Queen.  In May, the hunt continued for two completely different houses within 30 miles of each other. 

In June we found both of these houses.  And while Dad's house was a quick and easy purchase, ours became a headache of "yes", "no", "maybe", "no", "yes".  On June 30th we moved my parents into their new home.

July brought more discussions about our house while tending to Dad's medical needs.  And on July 30th, Dad lost his long fight with COPD.

August brough a new house, a new job, and a trip to Michigan for the funeral.

September is a blur of unpacking and October brought two new members into our home when my best friend and her daughter returned from Hawaii.

November brings the idea that we will once again be searching for a house that meets the needs of The Queen.

The holidays are fast approaching and for the first time I am not looking forward to them.  The budget is tight which puts a damper on the "giver" in me.  The heart is heavy with the void my father has left.  And while I fight the urge to break out the Christmas tree and start decorating, I know that when the calendar rolls over to that day it will bring with it mixed joys and sorrows.

In an attempt to brighten a dreary holiday for my family I want to count my blessings this year.  Starting now...

100 Things to be Thankful For

1) The part of my family which I hold dear is small, but I am thankful for the strong bond that can hold us together despite the daunting circumstances.

2) I am thankful for the joyful days that we had with my father while he was here and that he could be playing with his grand-daughter the day before he went to the hospital.

3) I am thankful that even though Dad's mind couldn't express how things needed to be done, he has left behind a son who knows what needs to be done.

4) I am blessed to have in my life the strongest, smartest, most resiliant woman I know -- My Mother.

5) I am thankful that I am an only child and only have to share her with the people I want to :)

6) I am grateful to have the most wonderful man in my life.  Despite our quarrels (and the fact that we have totally incompatible/stubborn personalities) we love each other through thick and thin.

7) I am grateful to have had the greatest father in the world.  His presence in our lives means more to me than any other person because he didn't have to be.  He was not bound by blood or legal documentation... he spent twenty-plus years putting up with our shit because he loved us.  There is simply no other explanation for that kind of self-torture :)

8) I am thankful that I have a two-year-old who is attached enough to miss us before we're gone, independant enough to play alone while grown-ups step outside for a break, and cared for enough to know her numbers better than her peers.

9) I am grateful to have friendships that can stand the test of time.  Friends I haven't seen or spoke to in 10 years who will drop a card or pick up the phone when I truly need it.  Friends who I trust to care for my child as much as I do.  Friends who can brighten my day and lift up my heart... and friends who still read the crap I write here despite a great lapse in time/exciting material.

10) I am grateful for the roof over my head.  It was a battle to get us here in this dream home, but after 2 months here I have no regrets.  I can still picture myself in this house when I'm 80.  I have no buyers remorse!