( thankful to be with this little lady this holiday weekend)

According to recent events, I would like to think that I have perfectly good reason to be somewhat miserable this holiday. I must admit to having a bout of self pity on my unexpected flight to Arizona (my ipod mix for the flight was titled "Thanksgiving from Hell"). In that ipod mix titling moment I certainly felt I had nothing to be thankful for. However, shortly after landing in the desert I received a comforting text from a good friend; "Family heals everything." So simple, so true. The unconditional love, encouragement, laughter and support of family can really carry us through anything.

I love having a holiday that is entirely dedicated to sitting back and taking into account all that we are truly grateful for.

I'm mostly grateful for the people in my life...

and red eye flights that can quickly get me to those people.

I'm grateful to be a daughter of God, and to know I matter to him. Even though I'm not perfect he sees my efforts, knows the intentions of my heart and hears my prayers. I know this.

I'm grateful for my job, sometimes I can really feel that I make a difference in other peoples lives. I'm grateful for the people it has allowed me to meet. Many of them have really touched and inspired me.

I'm grateful for heartache, the ups and the downs. I'm grateful for the last 5 months. It has been so humbling, and special, and beautiful, and gosh maybe even an answered prayer.

I'm grateful to friends that are always forgiving of my shortfalls and always supportive. As I've gone through life there have been meaningful relationships that quickly come and go; people that were strategically placed in my path to teach me something. In contrast there have been people in my life that are steadfast, constant and to those people, namely family and close friends, I am so grateful for their unconditional love.