Giving Thanks

Since yesterday was Thanksgiving, I feel it necessary to give my thanks. Yesterday was a very interesting day (interesting in that it was unexpectedly extremely emotional). But, by the time I lay my head to rest, there were many things to be thankful for.

I am thankful for:
~ my large, loud, Filipino family.
It's always a good time when my family gets together. But yesterday, I sat back and actually watched my family eat and have fun with each other. The older group parks in the formal dining room where all you hear is Tagalog chit chat and chismis (gossip). You hear uproars of laughter and then it gets really quiet as if they're telling each other secrets.
In the kitchen there are three opened bottles of wine, a large, Costco sized bottle of Skye vodka barely touched and other beverages going around. People talking about how good the ribs are and if they saw the yummy Red Velvet cheesecake in the fridge.
Then, in the less formal dining area sits the younger group of the family; all the cousins and such. All female, you know all they're doing is gossiping and talking about past events and future events approaching. How did the Kat's birthday party go? Wedding details for my cousin's wedding this coming June. Laughing about all the firefighters that will be there (she's marrying a firefighter). And as we all laugh about the potentially hot firefighters, we look around the table and realize that all but one of us are in relationships and that causes yet another uproar of laughter.
On the living room floor you find the kids making a mess. Fighting over the Lego's and the pull toy dog, and the trucks, and cars, and other various toys TJ owns. You hear their littler chatter as they narrate what they're building and the stories behind what they're doing. Then the occasional quarrel breaks out and one of the adults steps in and tells them to share and play nice (usually addressed to my son... we're working on that... :]) And then they simultaneously pause their play to tune into the movie playing on TV.
...and for all of that I am so very thankful!

~my beautiful son
Yesterday I realized that he is finally out of the terrible two's, but some of it still lingers. Those leftovers I have chalked up and accepted that it's part of his personality and we're going to have to work on that. Yesterday my mom's, college friend's, daughter's, daughter was playing with my son. He's 3, she's 4. They would play along fine for a little bit. They would chase after one another and play whatever imagination games they've got going on. And then something rubbed my son the wrong way and he'd want to keep all of his toys and not share. We told him to share, he said sorry to her, and gave her big hugs and kisses.
My son is rowdy and a bit selfish at times. But, he's also very caring and he loves a lot. He's a bit rough when he plays, but he's a boy and that's natural. He's defiant and yet so giving all at once. He has his little quarks that make him who he is. Yes, we will work on the playing well with others part and the sharing part. He is, after all, only 3 so I figure we've got time for all of that. But for the most part, he's a great kid and although the circumstances aren't ideal, I wouldn't give him up for anything and there are absolutely no regrets around him.
...and for his beautiful spirit and love I am so very thankful!

Lastly,
~my wonderful boyfriend
We didn't start Thanksgiving in the most pleasant of ways (I take fault for not approaching my issue with tact, sorry). At one point during the day I didn't want to hear his voice to see him or anything. But something in me told me to still go over there and have Thanksgiving lunch with him and his mom. Before I left, we hugged, kissed, and I shed a few tears and I headed back home for Thanksgiving at my house. He said he was going to try to come, but I knew he wasn't going to make it. Something wasn't settling properly. Then before I went to bed, we had a long talk. We were able to actually talk rather than fight and sort things out to where we have a better understanding for each other.
I woke up this morning very grateful for the man in my life. At one point yesterday I was ready to throw my hands up and just call it quits. I have grown weary of bickering. It's not any fun and it's putting a damper on my spirits. But, this morning I realized that we are able to talk through anything. We are able to be mature adults about things. We want to grow with one another. Both of us WANT to learn and understand each other better. Our love for each other is so great that we only want for us to work out. If we can continue to walk this way through and through, then we will be just fine.
...and for my loving boyfriend I am so very thankful!

There are many more things I am grateful for (like wonderful friends) that I didn't mention here. These are the things that I realized I am so thankful for because of Thanksgiving Day.

It is interesting how one day can open your eyes to so many blessings. I know I am blessed everyday. However, there are days where the sight of my blessings are blurry. It's important to clear away the resentment, the pessimism, and the bad feeling in order to see and focus on all the good in your life. Things always seem greener on the other side, but that's because you fail to see how green it is right under your feet.

You are blessed! If you are able to read this on your own computer, you are blessed. If you have access to read this on a public computer, you are blessed. If you are able to read, you are blessed. Always keep in mind that things can be worse off, but they're not. So, don't forget to thank the LORD for everything you have because HE has blessed you and HE will continue to bless you as long as you continue to give thanks unto HIM.

As for your musical feed for the day, I'm taking it back to the 90's. Remember this...Enjoy!



Thanks for listening!
...until next time...