"Grateful Thoughts"

Thanks for this, N.. I am grateful for the reminder to be grateful! Abundance is everywhere, all around us, and I love to be reminded to see it, and allow it in. Peace to us all,
D.

Hi N.! I am thankful that I have a wonderful family, and that we all enjoy each other(including my kids, my husband, my brother, sisters-in-law, parents, cousins). I am thankful that I have kids who are healthy and have great senses of humor- 12 y/o daughter who I don't want to lock away yet! and 15 m/o boy who is the funniest little man. I'm glad that my son is not very sick. When I was pregnant they thought they saw a tumor on my US but discovered after much testing that it is something more rare that is not life threatening. And after being in the hospital last winter several times, I am glad he had pneumonia and was able to fight it at home a couple weeks ago. And I am thankful that I have a husband who I think the world of and he of me, who works so hard and has let me stay home for the past year with my children! Sorry for the rambling but there's a lot! Thanks for asking! :)

I am grateful for my baby boy being born healthy at 10lbs 5oz three weeks ago, and my 3 year old daughter. After 9 years of infertility they were worth the wait!

I think this has to be one of the nicest things that I have seen on this site. Our family is extremely grateful that my husband's procedure yesterday showed that there has been no regrowth of his cancer - we're not out of the woods yet, but we'll take it. He has to go through some pretty rough procedures basically the rest of his life, but just to know that we're good made such a difference. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

i too dealt with PPD as well as clinical depression. I have been diagnosed since I was 28 and am now 38. Even so, I have always found blessings in my life
I am thankful for my beautiful children who seem to be healthy and happy. I am grateful that they have not only both sets of grandparents alive and active in their lives but they also have their cousin's Nanna and Pop Pop as well as a Mimi.

i am thankful that I have a strong connection with my church and Lord and Lady. I am grateful for my daughter's teachers and her friend's parents

Even though we are facing seeing a neurosurgeon for my son's possible skull plate fusing, I am grateful that we can go to Children's Hospital in Philly where he can get the best care and I have support in the area

I am thankful for friends that have seen me cry and get angry and love me anyway.

I am thankful for my therapists who got me through my pregnancy while dealing with depresion and who are helping me now that my son is here. I am thankful for the kind staff at Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth who treated me with respect and humanity

I am thankful for neighbors who have offered support and love

N.,

As the mother of a medically fragile child, I really appreciate your post. My son is not able to eat and has to be fed by a feeding tube. I often feel that parents of typical children take this wonderful gift of eating for granted because it is something that should be so natural. I am impressed by your realization of how eating and health is a true gift. My son was not blessed with either of these gifts but yet he is still able to be a happy child. That is what I am grateful for. I know my son may not be with me for long so I am truly grateful for every day I get to spend with him. Please continue to not take any of the little things for granted. Your twins are miracles and you should marvel in every little thing they do because they CAN not because they should.

I'm grateful for my husband and his love and support in my life, as well as his God-given talents that have secured him a good job with good people. I'm grateful for my healthy, beautiful, smart, and strong-willed little girls and their soon-to-be-born little brother. I'm grateful for healthy pregnancies. I'm grateful that I've been able to stay home with our children, and that that means that I can bring in some more money down the road. I'm grateful for hope and faith.

N.,
Kudos to you for actually posting this and giving us overworked moms a minute of reflection. I work in healthcare and daily I see families who are greiving because of terrible news they just received. I am thankful that I have not been on the receiving line of terrible news. I am thankful for my two healthy daughters. I am thankful for my health and I am thankful for my Husband's health. I am thankful that I have a career that has afforded me stability in this tipsy turvy economy. I am thankful for President Elect Obama who has given me hope once again. I am thankful for an almight God who loves me unconditionally even when I sometimes can't find the strength to love me. Finally I am thankful everyday of every moment that I am a mother and I feel priveliged to be part of such a wonderful group of woman.

I'm grateful that God has blessed me with such a wonderful family! My loving husband, my adorable son who will be 2 next week, and who made me the mom I am today. And the baby I'm expecting in April.

This is such a wondreful request! A nice way to brighten our holiday spirits. I am thankful for...My two amazing little girls, my husband, my wonderful/supportive friends, my mom, the fact that even though we have had money troubles of late, we are able to get through, that my husband got a (great) job...finally!, that God gave us women the ability to bear children, that God is in my life, the quiet when the snow falls, the noise when my kids laugh, that I am able to hear those sounds, We (my family)are all healthy, my dog, my cats, ...I could go on for a while, but I'll stop here. Happy holidays to everyone!

I am Grateful that my husband has a stable and secure job.
That I get to stay home with my children.
For my friend Elizabeth who is always there for me!

Hi N.,

I feel like I have so much to be thankful for. First I am thankful for a healthy family, other than some minor colds we are all pretty healthy, I am thankful for every minute that I get to share with them. I am thankful for my family, this has been a tough year for us since we just got our own place and my boyfriend has been out of work since March and they have been there for us and helped us out. I also thankful to be able to carry over some traditions and start to make some new ones also. Have a save and happy holiday!!
J.

I think your message is awesome! I truly appreciate your point of view especially at this time of year! This year I am having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit. Mostly because it is just so commercialized. I have been baking cookies w/my good friend and son, did some shopping w/my husband and on a separate occasion w/some friends.....trying to spend time appreciating the season.

I am a sahm as well and sooo appreciate this time w/my daughter. I find myself reflecting back a lot to when the boys were babies and sharing stories w/them about it. Last night my oldest son sat up w/me on the couch watching tv, but really we were just playing w/the baby. It is so nice to see them have a interest in her. I had my oldest son at 17, so now that he is 17 and has a baby sister I think it has opened his eyes a bit to where we started and gives him a better understanding of things.

I am so very grateful for all three of my healthy children, my hardworking, loving husband, our home, him job in these tough economic times, my son successfully finishing highschool this year, our great friends and family!!!!

I hope you have a wonderful, safe and happy holiday season!!!

I'm grateful that you took the time to write your wonderful post....Wishing you and yours and all the rest of you Mom's out there a wonderful Holiday. Hopefully the New Year will roll in with easier times for all...

I am thankful for my girls. I have a set of 9 year old twins who for the past two years I have had the great opportunity to stay at home with. I missed an awful lot working full time the first 7 years of their lives, but I now understand the reason for it. I have learned a lot from them, and continue to learn from them. Bigger kids bigger problems, now I can be there for them through the tough growing up years. I am truly blessed to have them. For all of you other Mothers of Twins, they sure are a blessing, and even though they might be a bit of a challenge in the beginning months/years of their lives, they grow together and adapt easier.

Cool! This is brilliant, especially at this time of year. I have so much for which to be grateful. Healthy self, family (children and husband) and siblings and parents. Love, a desire to learn and grow. Awareness that when things get tough, these other things are in place, which keeps it all in perspective (mostly).

I feel very thankful. I appreciate your prompt to reflect on this!

Thank you for making us take time to reflect on what is good. I needed this today after a sleepless night last night!

I am grateful that I have two, beautiful healthy daughters. While my oldest is challenging, I am grateful she has a good heart. I am grateful that she is generally happy and healthy. And I am grateful for the three nights she slept in her own bed this month.

I am grateful that my second daughter's temperament goes with the flow. I am grateful that her smile makes my heart glow. I am grateful that my girls love each other and me and even our poop-eating dog and that there is much love, if not much sleep, in my house.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hi N.,

I also think about how fortunate i am to have my son who is 17 months. He was born at 27 weeks and weighted 2pounds at birth. Even though he has some medical issues, i am still grateful for him. I am grateful that i have been given the opportunity to experience being pregnant and giving birth for i am aware that there are many women who would like to have that experience. I wont complain when he has three specialist appointments or i have to leave work early twice a week to take him to therapy. I am grateful that God gives my the strenght to be there for my son.

M.

wow. There is sooo much to be thankful for. My husband being the man that he is, my son for growing so beautifully and healthy, our financials, our home, the many opportunities, having each other, meals, having extended family support, having a loving family, our careers, our health, love, respect, care, friends... the list goes on. Thank you for posting this, as I just remembered many of them as I wrote them. It's good to stop once in a while to reflect.

N.,

What a great post!! It is difficult to condense all of my thoughts without putting everyone to sleep. I am grateful for my two beautiful children now 24 & 19 and my wonderful and supportive husband. I am grateful for keeping my sanity while raising two teenagers and the strength to survive it!!!
I am grateful that I was fortunate to be home with them and watch them flourish into the wonderful adults they have become. I am grateful for my husband who has supported my in every way and now especially for allowing me to live out my dreams (open my own business). And in these rough financial times where moms are forced to go out to work, I am grateful to care for their precious children and return them to their mommies happy and healthy each day. I am sad for the families who are experiencing such financial heartache and pray that their situation will change. I am grateful for this website that has allowed me to meet so many interesting women, in which I have learned so much from. Happy Holidays to all may you have a happy and healthy New Year!!

I am so grateful that I continue to be able to stay home with my son, even through less than easy times financially. I'm grateful that my husband works so hard, and loves his family so much. I am grateful that we sold our house in this terrible market! I am grateful that we have the smartest, most adorable and sweet baby in the world! (Am I biased? Nahhhh...)

I feel extraordinarily blessed.

I'm starting a counting game with our 3.5 year old -- for every winter coat in our house, we buy a can of food for the hungry (our church delivers it to a food pantry). You can do pairs of shoes; each car trip you take in a day; or figure out how much your family eats in a day, and occasionally give that amount of food/$ to a charity (see how long it takes to give a month's worth of food). Food pantries especially need infant formula.

In terms of global hunger, that's harder; but for $350 you can buy a cow that makes 6 gallons of milk a day. If you go to www.lwrgift.org, they have a "global barnyard" where the funds really do go to where you want them to go (not to overhead costs, but to people in need). It's surprising how fast you can save up $350 if you're focused.

Blessings to you. Gratitude in us breeds generosity; that generosity gives others what they need in order to be grateful themselves. Breaking any vicious cycles our world would fear!

dear N., What a beautiful reflection! Thank you for putting us all on the right track. I too have so much to be thankful for. I have raised 5 children to adulthood and now have 3 beautiful grand children. We have food on our table and a roof over our head. Even though our economy has taken a dive we are free and always have HOPE for the future. Let us all stop and Give Thanks this Christmas season, for all our Gifts. Many Blessings, Grandma Mary

Dear N.,
What a wonderful post. My first thanks goes to you, for making me take that moment to reflect just how lucky I am.

I am thankful that both my husband are not only able to work but have jobs. So many people are losing them right now that I'm thankful we have them. I am thankful for our home and messy as it is, it's ours. I am thankful that we are able to afford clothing, food and heat (we do live in the North East!). Again so many go without.

Most importantly I am thankful for my family. My husband and daughter (though they drive me crazy sometimes) I'm glad that we have each other to drive crazy. I am thankful for my parents and their health as they age. My brother and sister, crazy as they are, I love them and they love me. My in-laws are insane but that's what I love about them, the make sure my life is always interesting!

And I thank all of your for your support. It's nice to know there are others out there going through the same thing...life.

May you all have a safe and happy holiday!

Best Regards,
Kristal

Thoughts:

Baby is smiling and taking nourishment.

He may not be sleeping through the night, but he is at least happy when he wakes at 4 AM to play. :}

We are all cold-free, and were able to pick out a Charlie Brown Christmas tree again this year. Still residing in the garage, though. :)

Parents are well and worried about presents and not health problem!

Many many other gratitude issues.

M.

i also have twins!!! we were blessed with both being of healthy weight so we could take home with us!! b/b twins that are 10 weeks old...i too am quite grateful for the both of them. and this holiday season has such a deeper meaning! i read you posting after one of the toughest days yet but all was forgotten as my sweet boy smiled as he fell asleep in my arms tonight! grateful ...oh yes!!!

Thank you for such a wonderful post! And so timely for me too - my husband and I had a huge argument last night that we just talked about again this morning and your post took the - I feel hurt b/c.... and filled that void with.....

I am so grateful that my husband and I have a beautiful daughter who goes beyond my imagination in her caring and ability to make me laugh. I am grateful that my husband and I have a marriage that has, over the years, become more and more supportive and a wonderful place to find solace from the rest of the world. I am grateful that we have a business that is thriving and a wonderful house to call home. I feel so blessed for almost every part of my life that I could go on and on!

So, thank you again for the post! Have a wonderful holiday season!

I am grateful that even though we are living in hard economic times and our household has had to budget more and more, we are still in a position to give to charity rather than be forced to take charity. My husband, my children, my family and friends are what help me go through life and I am glad they are a part of it. Thank you for asking this important question. :)

I'm just reading your post today and its bringing a tear to my eyes - I'm already emotional as I've been dealing with two weeks of illness in my toddler (nothing "serious") and the stresses of full time work/life balance - but I've been trying to be positive when really inside I am hurting so badly, mainly b/c I am work today and not with him and I just don't want him to be sick anymore - BUT reading your post is going to make me stop and respond to you so I can remind myself - I am thankful that I have inlaws and a mother who are soooo helpful to me (especially during times like these when I do have to choose between work and my son). I am thankful that I have a truly healthy child, except for common illnesses. I am thankful I have a job when I need one, even though its causing me stress right now. I am thankful I have a husband who is so helpful and caring. I am thankful for my friends, most of whom I've had since intermediate school (quite some time ago now : ) While I am not feeling great and am not in the holiday spirit right now, I will allow myself to feel for today (maybe crying one more time will get it out) but I will keep reminding myself of all of the above - and then some. So thank you for your post - I'm going to try and take it and find the soul in my everyday again instead of being warn down by that which I can not change. Happy Holidays!

I am SOOO grateful to be the mom of the absolute best little girl (14 months) that God could've possibly picked for me to have. She brings joy into my life every single day with all her funny ways, her love of reading, her adventerous and determined nature, the words she says and tries to say, the way she looks at our christmas tree and tries to ask questions about why there is a tree inside the house, how she squeals with excitement when dad or I come home, so on and so on. And if that wasn't enough, I am blessed to be pregnant with a 2nd one on the way. I had no idea I'd turn into such a mush in becoming a mom. I get all emotional at sad commercials, have to control myself from going on and on about my incredible baby and all her wonderful stories all day every day & just can't get enough of her. God bless! -N.

You are certainly meant for your job as a wellness educator! What a great idea to get people thinking about their blessings in life. I am grateful for my husband and kids, that we are all relatively healthy and kids are mostly well behaved. I am also grateful to have a full time job to support my family. Plus I have great family and friends around me. Thanks for reminding us all to be grateful for the goods things in our life.

I am greatful for my daughter who is healthy, to be able to SAH, a great husband, a roof over our heads and the Holiday season. Happy Holiday's

This is a great idea! Like you, I have B/G twins. Mine are 8 months old. I am also grateful that they were born over 6 lbs each and that they have thrived. Just recently I have also got to the point when I can say, "I am glad that they were born together. I am glad that I had twins." From the very beginning I was always grateful for each of them individually and couldn't imagine not having either of them in our family, BUT there were days when I couldn't comfort them both quickly enough that I also felt like, "Why did I have twins? Every baby should have its own mother!" But the other day while watching them play and interact with each other, I thought about how fascinating it was to watch their communication with each other and their discovery of the world together.

I am also grateful that my three year old daughter has grown into a very independent little girl who loves her brother and sister deeply and is very good to them. I am grateful that she's been able to attend preschool and that she is enjoying all the new things she's learning. I am grateful that God has granted me the extra energy and a little help from my family to still allow me to spend special times with just her.

Though this year I originally wanted to move out of Long Island and stop working and that didn't happen...and I certainly never wanted to have so much time with my husband out of town trying to take care of them alone... I am glad that I have survived it so far. I am so thankful for my awesome baby sitter too! I know my kids are blessed to have her and her family in their lives.

I, too feel this posting is a wonderful idea. We all take our lives for granted at times and it is nice to take a step to see what we have. My husband and I are both out of work. Desperately looking and trying not to lose our home. I have a 5 yr old boy that was born with a heart problem that needed surgery at 3 days old. We all have our crosses to bear at certain time of our lives. I have a great man who is a hard working, responsible, loving father and husband. I have the most amazing boys that are the loves of my life and are healthier than most. I have great family support and true friendships. So, thank you for this posting. A great way to reflect and to remind me how lucky I am. A peaceful holiday season to all!

morning coffee
nap time
my kids "singing" church hymns
warm rainy days in winter
hot chocolate brownies
heat
health
Thomas's Cinnamon Raisin bread (with cream cheese)
food
my mother
my husband's sense of humor
... and his OCD
pens that write
Christmas cards with cougars on them
my son making my daughter laugh
Amazing Savings and Loehmans
the way my daughter says cracker...
my 8:30pm glass of wine
private bathroom time
a hot shower
talk radio
freedom
my husband's job

What a nice post! Thank you for sharing! Isn't it amazing how becoming a mother opens your eyes to the world? I too, find myself thinking about all of the children out there who aren't as lucky as my child. I wish I could adopt them all, bring them into our home, and give them everything they need, just like we do for our little guy.

I am grateful for wonderful friends and family, and in this economy, I'm grateful that my husband is employed!! I know that this holiday season is going to be rough for many people, including us, but what's important is that we love one another. I'm blessed with plenty of love.

Happy Holidays everyone,
Lynsey