Thanksgiving Week!?

Wow, is it already Thanksgiving week?!  I feel like the last year has gone so quickly, and I cannot fathom the fact that in a few days, we will be stuffing our faces, watching the Macy's parade and traveling up to Maine. When I was younger, my mom always told me that the older I got, the quicker time would pass.  As she would speak these words to me, I seriously did not believe her.  I mean, after all, when you're a child waiting for Santa, your birthday, summer and so on, the days pass so slowly.  I now see and completely understand what she meant.

This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for so many things.  I try to be thankful and grateful all year, but let's be honest - Thanksgiving is when people really share their thanks.  The first thing I am thankful for is my family, friends and my amazing fiance.  I am so lucky to have so many helpful, loving and supportive people in my life.  I cannot think of one person in my life who is not great.  I have certainly been blessed with great family members, wonderful friends, and an extraordinary fiance.  I got too lucky.

The second thing I am thankful for is my health.  Two years ago, I found out I have a hole in my heart.  Currently, the only two side effects of this condition is the fact that I get migraines and I have difficulty breathing, as the hole does not properly regulate the blood to my lungs.  Yes, the hole can have effects in the long run, but as for now, I am pretty happy and satisfied with the fact that this is my only medical concern.  Recently I have heard of people my age getting cancer and other diseases, so I count my blessings that I am in good health.  In addition to myself, the people who I love and care about are generally healthy as well.

Third, I am grateful for the education I am able to receive.  I am so lucky that I have the education that I do, and I appreciate all the schools I have attended and the teachers who have taught me.  I have enjoyed school from preschool until now, my final few classes as a graduate student.  Not everybody can say that they have had the chance to pursue their dreams through school and education, so I count my blessings every time I step foot into a classroom.

Enough about me.  Last week and this week, I have been talking to my kids about what they are thankful for.  I actually heard some pretty deep answers, not just "Facebook" or "My iPhone".  Many said they were thankful for their safety, freedom, education, family, nature and food.  

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving all!  Enjoy your food, football games and parades.  Remember to let everyone important to you know how special they are!