Thanks Giving

Oh, Heavenly Father, We thank you for food and remember the hungry. We thank you for health and remember the sick. We thank you for friends and remember the friendless. We thank you for freedom and remember the enslaved. May these remembrances stir us to service, that your gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.


The past year has been challenging at best. There were many moments of joy and discovery. Many more moments of heartbreak. Without a doubt if it was not for the love, support, forgiveness, exncouragement, and acceptance of my friends and  family there is no way I would have made it through. So many people have been infuential over the direction my life is currently going, I don't even know where to start.

Cathy - I am pretty sure I do not deserve your friendship. You are an amazing woman and truly beautiful. You have taught me so much in the way of forgiveness, kindness, tolerance, love, friendship. I truly admire you for the woman you are, for your incredible strength and love for yourself, your friends, your children (alll four of them), and all your family. Your openness, your loyalty and your patience are incredible. I am truly blessed to have been allowed into your life. I am so thankful for you.

Roxanne - I tell you everyday how much I love you. You have been a solid rock for me to lean on at times I wish I could have avoided. You have encouraged me, loved me, and trusted me. You faith in my words as Ms. Kettle is undeserved. You make me laugh, you make me cry, and you make me believe that I truly am worth so much more. Without you, there would be no me.

Mindy - You are such a beautiful woman. I am so happy that we "met" . You bring so much joy to my life. You make me laugh and you are so silly in the most wonderful way. I love hearing the joy in your voice when I call. You are a wonderful friend and being a passenger on your journey and how far you have come in the last six months. Thank you so much for finding something amazing inside me that was worth growing this friendship. Please come visit me soon.

Aaron - I don't know that I truly possess the words to express my gratitude for all you have carried me through in the past year. The loss of love, the loss of a job, the start of a new job, another misspent relationship. I have cried a hundred tears in your presence, I have smiled a thousand smiles. You have shared your music with me, your writing, your path...a great blessing I will always cherish. In turn, you have encouraged my writing, pushed me to exceed my perceived limits, and taught me the value in being honest with myself and with others. You add incredible value to my life.

Peter and the Writer's Croft - I cannot express how amazing my participation in the Writer's Croft has been, and Peter has been an encouraging force behind getting me in the group and ensuring I received everything I could out of it, and a lot more than I ever anticipated. The encouragement and flattery my writing has recieved from the others inside the Croft was unexpected and has touched me in ways that I will forever treasure. You have given me the courage to write a book about something I never thought I would. Your excitement and enthusiasm has made writing about it easier than I ever thought it would be. Thank you a hundred times.

Tim - You have really stepped up for me in the past year. Your dedication to helping me with our daughter and being there for her and me through the difficult times of the last six months have been so helpful and I cannot thank you enough. I know it's your job but I greatly appreciate it.

Brianna and Xavier - I don't usually put you guys in here specifically because it goes without saying that I am thankful and blessed to have you every day. You two are so perfect. I truly could not ask for better kids. You both are sweet, loving, funny, helpful, and smart. Moving makes me happier than seeing you two play and hearing you two laugh. You two are most definitely the best I've ever created and my greatest blessing.

Lori - You have saved me in more ways than you will ever know. You held my hand helping me find my way down a path I had been staring at for a long time. That path is one of the greatest blessings of the last year and has become a huge part of my life. I have also been fortunate to be a witness to your strength, courage, faith, love, and patience. I admire your ability to find humor in aggravation, wisdom in frustration, and encouragement in life's ever growing lemons. Your acceptance of limited control amazes me everytime. I am so thankful to call you a friend.

My parents - Thank you for loving me and for finally listening to my words of forgiveness. Thank you for never giving up on me and for waiting until my heart was ready.

Cotter - You continue to bail me out and I am sure I'd be living in a cardboard box if it weren't for you. Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for letting me be your place to fall even when sometimes I'm a bitch. Lol. I love you and I'm glad I get to see you every week.

Ashlee and Ashley - Both of you have been the bridge back to my brothers. I appreciate you both including me in this family and making me feel welcomed and loved. It means so much to me to be here as my nieces and nephews grow. You are both great mothers and wives and have so many qualities I admire. And although I've put you together here, you both have many unique qualities that I enjoy seeing in action. Your kindness and love for me is more than I ever would have dreamed possible.

And finally a special thanks to my boss Lisa. Without you've I am not sure how I would have survived my first year at a job I wasn't really sure I wanted. You constantly supports me, guide me, and set an example of how I should be. You have made sharing my struggles and successes and dreams okay to exist. I appreciate and value you every day. Thank you for your incredible encouragement.

Beyond just those mentioned above, I am incredibly thankful for EVERYONE in my life. I have learned to surround myself with people who add value to my life each and every day. There is no one who doesn't live up to this. I have been blessed with strong bonds that somehow seem to withstand the test of time and distance. When I need shelter from the storm, a soft place to fall, or just someone to make me feel special, valuable, or loved I never have far to go. I cannot truly explain how phenomenal that is, how truly magical.
I thank God and Heaven for the love, joy, triumphs, and peace i have in my life.
I am healthy, wealthy in ways beyond fortune, and I am so happy with how far my life has come in the past four years. Thank you to all those who have shared in my journey. You are my all my dreams come true.