Virtual Playground: What Are You Most Thankful For?
We often forget about what we are thankful for in life and focus solely on complaints that we have. Thanksgiving is always a good opportunity to look at the things in our lives that we are most thankful for. We thought we’d share those thoughts with you and hope that you will tell us what you are most thankful for in your life. Wishing you and your family an abundance of food and laughter this Thanksgiving!
Shannon:
I’m truly thankful that our families are close, both in proximity and emotion. My mom and stepdad live in San Antonio, and my mom drives to Austin every other Monday to be a consistent presence in my daughter’s life. My dad and stepmom have a lakehouse in Marble Falls, and that side of the family gathers there frequently to relax and enjoy their hospitality. And my husband’s parents live about a half-mile away, so my daughter gets to be close to all six (!) of her grandparents. Also, my brother moved back to Texas two years ago after having spent the last 10 years in New England. We’ve loved seeing more of him.
I know it won’t always be this way, so I’m trying to enjoy it and foster it. There are times, especially during the holidays, that trying to see everyone feels harried, but I’m thankful that they’re all around to see!
Katie:
I am thankful for the usual suspects: my family and their health, my husband’s job, coffee and all of God’s blessings. About once a month I help out at my church’s food pantry. This experience has made me especially thankful for having a house to call home. My backyard may be minuscule but it is a nice safe green space for my child to play. There is always plenty of food in the fridge/pantry and should they run low, I know I can run to the grocery store and purchase something good. My volunteering has shown me that this is not a reality for many of our neighbors. There are those who have no idea if they will be safe as they sleep outside tonight or where the next meal will come from, there are those who are unsure how they will feed their children or pay their rent and have no family to turn to for help, and there are those with bare cupboards and no way to refill them except for the kindness of their neighbors. I am thankful for all those who give so generously no matter how large or small to take care of those in our community who need help.
In the process of writing what I am thankful for on a mom’s website, I also realize how grateful I am for my mom’s group. I know there are lots of you out there who can relate. When I moved to Pflugerville I did not know a soul. I found a mom’s group online and it has been my saving grace! I don’t know how you can be a stay at home mom (or a working mom for that matter, but I haven’t gotten there yet) without the support, love, acceptance, advice and willing ears of other moms around you. I am so thankful for the moms in my group. You know who you are! The last 18 months of being a mother would not have been the same without you ladies, so this year I am especially thankful for you!
Nicole:
I feel so lucky that I have so many things to be thankful for. I have been trying to start a tradition on Friday nights at the dinner table where we talk about what we are thankful for. My three year old doesn’t quite get it yet, and although I am flattered he always starts by saying “I’m thankful for Mommy….” (then he goes on to talk about Transformers and whatever happens to be on the table that day, like flowers, forks, napkins…you get the idea).
One of the many things I am grateful for is my husband. I am not the type to gush, but he is one great dude. On this wild and crazy journey called parenthood, he steps in when I think my head is about to explode, helps me think through the gazillion difficult decisions we seem to have to make, listens to me when I need adult conversation and helps me slow down when I don’t want to but need to. For all this and much, much more, I’m thankful for him.
Catherine:
I am thankful that my eleven year old son has the same taste in music as I do. It makes for much less fighting over the radio station in the car! I’m also thankful for having the opportunity to parent two of the best kids around. They make my life complete and offer boundless opportunities for my growth as a person. I’m also thankful for having a husband who gives me the support and freedom to chase my dreams, no matter how small or large they are, and for always urging me to take time for myself so that I am a better, happier mom! Without my family, I’m not sure I would be where I am today.
I’m thankful for the abundance of delicious food that finds itself on my table and for the friends- the ones who are always by my side, filling the spots where family is missing- who are there to help us eat it. I’m so thankful that they put up with all of my shenanigans and eat all of my experimental food while claiming that it’s good!
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