Putting the "Happy" in Happy Thanksgiving....

"Happy Thanksgiving!!" Really? Are you sure?

My husband is working on that day, my son could not come down, my New Mexico family is all together without me, and I am trying to put together a luncheon for a friend's family who just recently passed away. The first real family thing since my daddy passed away. Happy? Really?

Well, I may not be happy, but I am so very thankful...

I am thankful for the wonderful friends in my life. Even those who I don't think of everyday but when I get a chance to visit with them, they make me well aware of our friendship and they let me know, without words, that they are there for me. I have some very wonderful friends who will never have any idea how much they truly mean to me. Maybe I should let them know. Yes...I believe I will.

I am thankful for the roof over my head. For my job and for my husband's ability and willingness to work and support his family. For the savings account. For the ability to tell my children...yes, you can have that. For a warm bed every night. For food in the fridge.

I am thankful for my health.

Lastly, but most importantly, I am so, so, so thankful for my family.
*For my loving husband who never leaves my side. Who loves me despite myself. Who holds my hand as we watch TV. Who hugs me when I have tears. Who puts me first when I hardly ever do the same. Who I would be nothing without.
*For my so wonderful son. Who stole my heart away at our first touch. Who calls just to say, "I love you." Who never thinks of himself first. Who has never made me more proud to be his mom.
*For my ever-so fantastic daughter. Who always has a piece of my heart with her. Who gives me such an inner strength, she has no idea. Who makes me laugh until I cry. Who has shown me the love between a mother and daughter is unmatched.
*For my mom. Who fought with me when I was young until I could hardly stand it! Who never lost an argument (in her eyes). Who probably has no idea how much I love her.
*For my brother. Who is the biggest pain in the @$$ of my entire life. Who I love more than he could ever know. Who has really made me the person I am today.
*For my brother's family. Who I love and miss every single day.
*For my husband's family. A father and mother-in-law who are really a second set of parents for me. I love them. For Trent's brothers, and sister, and sisters-in-law, and nephews, and nieces, and great nephews, and great nieces -- how wonderful for me, that you have all let me be a part of your family.
*For my aunts and uncles. Who are a part of me and my life. Who brighten up my days with their presence.
*For Albert and Scotty. So many years apart...so many years of forever being together. Nothing shall ever separate us again.

My family really probably has no idea how much I deeply, truly love them. I like to keep my feelings deep inside, hidden away, surrounded by a big wall, protected. I am trying to change that and I am trying to let you all know how I feel about you and how much you mean to me. I never want any of you to doubt or to question my feelings. My family, every single one, is so important to me. I would be no one without them. They are such a part of me and, hopefully, I am a part of them. I love you. I love you.

Thankful? Very. Happy? I will get back to you on that one, but I am working on it.

XOXO