Tis The Season

Tis the season…to be thankful. I love Thanksgiving so much because it’s all about attitude and being with people you love. The holiday in and of itself isn’t hyped, so it’s easy to overlook. What comes after the antics and party of Halloween? In a lot of peoples’ minds it’s Christmas. And I admit, as a young person I felt much the same way – why waste time on a holiday where there was no gift-giving or party? Now that I’m older, and hopefully a bit wiser, Thanksgiving has become one of my favorite times of year.

My list this year is LONG, not my Christmas list, but my list of things that I’m grateful for. I’m so blessed. My life has become a little less chaotic and I’ve seen God moving so obviously that I’m trying to take it all in and be grateful for the big and the small things. I could write a whole blog on all the ways I’m thankful for my relationship with God (and I might do just that) but today I’m overwhelmingly grateful for my friends. It is clear that s God has given me amazing friends to share my life with.

I’ve had a blast the past 24 hours. One of my girlfriends who has a family of all males decided to have a little girl fix and come stay the night with my girls and me. We had dinner out, went shopping and then stayed up late into the night talking. Then this morning I got to have breakfast with another sweet friend that I don’t get to see nearly often enough. So because of that I’m feeling very filled up and grateful.

I’m extremely grateful for my four closest friends and the qualities each one of them brings to our relationship.

•One of them is incredibly loyal. She has served me and been available both emotionally and physically more often than not. It’s one of her most endearing qualities – and there are many.
•Another friend has made my girls and I part of her family. We are invited to holiday gatherings, dinners and get-togethers. She has shared her family with me and since I live in a city with no other family, this has been huge for me and my girls.
•I’m fortunate to be the recipient of the wisdom of my third friend. She has counseled me and been my spiritual mentor the past few years. Her wisdom has helped me tremendously.
•And finally, my best friend. She’s my kindred spirit, and the sister I always longed for and got to choose. We share a similar passion for God, for music and love for good books and meaningful lyrics and so many other things.

As I’ve gotten older I have come to realize that “stuff” just doesn’t mean much to me. Time spent with people that I love moves my heart in a way that I cannot adequately express. The people in my life that fill my day to day with love and joy and experiences are what I am most thankful for this year.