Tuesday, November 26, 2013

I Am Grateful: Thanksgiving 2013

A lot of people have been posting what they are thankful for daily on Facebook and Instagram or twitter... I think it's awesome. Gratitude is a great thing to have because it can completely change your life.

I didn't do the daily gratitude's, though, so I'd like to take the time to express gratitude in this post. If gushy gratitude posts don't do it for you, then you might want to look away. (Stick-in-the-mud!)

I am grateful for the people in my life:

For parents who loved each other and loved me, who raised me to believe in Jesus Christ, who taught me about the Plan of Salvation and how to find happiness in my life.


For my siblings who still make me laugh and are always willing to travel long distances to hang out, who know who I was and who I am and who I will be, who love me in spite of my craziness.

For my aunts/uncles/grandparents who taught me valuable lessons, who showed me affection, who gave me self-confidence, who love me just for being me.

For my in-laws and the family who counts me as one of their own, who accepted me and loved me, and who I do not see nearly enough.



For my husband who sees beyond the things I do wrong and loves me.
For my husband who works hard to support our family, even when it's hard.
For my husband, a good, good man.


For my children, who have stretched my soul beyond anything I could have ever imagined was possible, who strengthen me and push me to be better than I am.
For my children who are so amazing and beautiful, such precious souls who have been entrusted to me to help mold and shape them and teach them of their Father in Heaven and how to return to Him.

For my friends who have changed my life and made it better.
For my friends who have loved me and hated me, who have helped me and hurt me.
For my friends who have stuck by me through the tough times --and even for those who have abandoned me during the times I needed them the most.

I am grateful for the wonderful things I have at my grasp:

For such a beautiful home, a yard, an amazing place to raise my family.

For the comforts that we have --from electricity to running water, indoor plumbing to refrigeration.
For carpets and blankets, fuzzy socks, and sweet smelling shampoo.
For soap and dishwashers, tables, couches, and fireplaces.
For movies and books, pianos and beautiful paintings.

For cars to get us places.

For schools and dedicated teachers who inspire my children to learn.

For cameras and photographs.

For diapers!

I am grateful for my Depression:

For how much it has taught me about compassion.
For the struggle it has created, because it has led me closer to my Savior.
For the lessons I have learned, friends I've made, and opportunities I've experienced because of it.

I am grateful for Jesus Christ:

For His gospel and His church.

For His Atonement.

For His love for me.

I am grateful for my life:

For my family, religion, country, purpose, and talents.
For all the opportunities and experiences I've had that have helped shape who I have become and who I am becoming.


I am so grateful!


Here are some great gratitude quotes for you. Have a fantastic Thanksgiving, dear reader!


The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.  No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.  ~H.U. Westermayer

If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness.  It will change your life mightily.  ~Gerald Good

The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes.  It has enough lush forests, flowered fields and sandy beaches.  It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day.  What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it.  ~Michael Josephson

All that we behold is full of blessings.  ~William Wordsworth


Thou hast given so much to me,

Give one thing more, - a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.
~George Herbert


As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

2 comments:

Amanda D said...

I love your list. Very we'll said. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Amber said...

You make me want to blog again. Perhaps I shall.