Gratitude

Close up of the hand-made Thanksgiving card from my September-DTC secret pal. Each ribbon sticking out is attached to a removable tag on which Jimmy and I can write all the things we're thankful for. This little book is meant to be kept and shared with Amelia one day--------our thoughts on the thanksgiving before her arrival.


Unexpressed gratitude is burning a hole in my heart this year. There are so many things to be thankful for. So many in fact, that I am writing this 3 days past Thanksgiving(which would have been the more appropriate day for this particular post) because I have been unable to narrow down and organize in my head the many things for which I am grateful. Since my father died some 12 years ago, my family has struggled through some very difficult issues. We have seen some real tragedy in the last decade---the least of which included my infertility and miscarriage.

But I can say that time does heal wounds.....And miracles can happen.......And people can learn important life lessons...........And things can get better...........And my family has healed in so many ways.

So this year I am grateful that my nephews are healthy and well, that my family has reconciled old hurts, and that my mother is moving here to Roswell where I can give back some of the support that she has given me.

I am thankful for friends, old and new. I am thankful for the support from the adoption community, both on line, through snail mail, and from local waiting families with whom I am sharing this most special time in my life.

and last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for my faith. A faith which was once threatened by tragedy and depression, until I realized that being a person of faith does not prevent you from living in a human world with human obstacles, and yes, sometimes even undeserved hardship for you or those you love...................But it does guarantee strength, and fortitude, and courage to face those obstacles head on, and find beauty in the world just the same.