Blessings Flow

Lately I think we've all been reminded of what really matters in life. Hurricane Sandy really drummed that into us in the northeast last month. The things we own can be lost in a matter of minutes. Our entire life's memories can be washed away with one wave. My friend from A new beginning... My journey to avoid the knife knows this all too well when she lost her home earlier this year due to a tornado. Here in the northeast, entire towns were lost. Thankfully, many lives were spared. Businesses and homes can be rebuilt, washing machines and carpeting can be replaced. I'm not trying to trivialize what the people in Mastic Beach or Lindenhurst or Long Beach or Breezy Point or Seaside Heights or Point Pleasant or Broad Channel have lost. I'm focusing on what they STILL HAVE.

That is what I choose to emphasize to my kids. We HAVE a lot, most things that can not be held and tossed to the curb with the rest of the debris. You may not have the real expensive boots all the other high school girls are wearing, or the popular smartphone (or any cellphone, for that matter), but you have the things that matter the MOST in a happy, comfortable, fulfilling life. First, they have parents that are not only still married, but really love and appreciate each other. I hope that we have been a good example of how a married couple treat each other and they emulate that in their own relationships in the future, and not settle for anything less. Second, we may not be wealthy, but we have enough. Things have been a bit tighter than normal since I haven't been working regularly, but I know that will improve, and so we ride it out. We have a home that is ours, cars that manage to get us to the places we need to be and food in the cabinets. Everything else is merely a want and not a need. Thirdly, we have an amazing family. Unfortunately, my kids lost their Grandma Gloria (A.K.A. Bird Grandma, since when my kids were little they differentiated grandmas by "bird Grandma," with the cockatoo, and "bagel Grandma," since we always go to my parents' house for rolls and bagels after church every Sunday.) back in 2004, but they still have my husband's dad, Grandpa Charlie, and my mom and dad, Grandma Dorothy and Grandpa Hank, to learn from and enjoy. We are also very fortunate in that we live so close to our family. We see almost everyone regularly. Sundays are an open invitation to all of my siblings to stop in and grab a cup of coffee and attempt to join in the multiple conversations going on around the table. My husband's sister and her kids are pretty scattered across the country, and we don't get to see them as often as we like, but when we're together, we have the BEST time.

Finally, I hope my kids think they have pretty good parents. We care about them, the people they hang out with, their education and making them work up to their potential, preparing them for an independent future and most importantly, treating people the way they want to be treated. Even if I could give into my kids' every whim and desire, I wouldn't. It doesn't teach them anything and only sets them up for some major disappointment as an adult. They'll either be miserable because they can't afford the thing they think they can't live without or they'll be up to their necks in a mountain of debt. It's not a bad thing to want things, but it shouldn't take over your life. There's always going to be a new and improved model of something on the market, and if you always are wanting something, you'll never be happy.


However, if you put the emphasis on the fact that you are lucky enough to have loving parents, a big, fun family, a house to run home to from the bus stop, and friends to hang out with, then you are blessed with enough. Everything else is a bonus. These are all things I KNOW I am fortunate for. I have a loving husband, smart, funny, thoughtful kids, my parents and my father-in-law, a huge supportive extended family and a home to call my own, as well as the fact that we are all healthy and well.

Last Thanksgiving

So I count my blessings every day and I hope you all are blessed with a meaningful, happy Thanksgiving.