Count Your Blessings Name them One by One

I just returned from my first of FOUR Thanksgiving meals planned this week. Along with keeping up the tradition of eating too much, I also enjoyed the annual (and always expected) "go around the table and say what you are grateful for" activity.
Today was especially meaningful as it was the Thanksgiving dinner family event with clients from work.
I work as a Child Life Specialist (I didn't choose the title) at a social service agency in Harlem. My work is primarily working with families who may have any combination of: compromised health, mental illness, history of homelessness, living in poverty, etc... Needless to say, it is often easy for these good folks to focus on what really sucks in their lives. Hearing everyone so easily express their gratitude made me realize that no matter what our situation, there is always something that keeps us going.
In keeping with the theme of Gratitude, I am going to dedicate the next week to daily musings on what I am grateful for... starting with the first and most important.
MY FAMILY.


There is no possible way I could list everything my family has done for me and taught me over the last three decades. Instead, I will focus on a few highlights.

Dad, thank you for teaching me how to work. You taught me (both by example and force) the value of being responsible. Thank you for making me do chores every Saturday before I could play. Thank you for helping me put fliers up around town to promote my babysitting business when I was ten. Thank you for driving me to Idaho Falls (until I could drive myself) to wait tables. Thank you for helping me apply to college. Thank you for always encouraging and supporting me even when I chose to be a Sociology major. Most of all, now that you have taught me those lessons, thank you for letting me sleep in, relax, and do nothing when I come home to visit. I love you.


Mom,
Thank you for being patient with my many moods, quirks, unreasonable behavior, and occassional rudeness. I know that I can be impatient and intolerant at times. We both know I don't get it from you. :) Thank you for ignoring my moods and irrationality. Thank you for being so free to point out the good traits and quietly ignoring the bad ones. Thank you for being so free with praise and love and for ALWAYS being there. I have never doubted that you will support me.
BTW, you are a pretty amazing grandma as well!


Kymberly,
Remember how whenever we would fight (which was often) and mom would say 'One day your sister is going to be your best friend." I don't know about you, but I NEVER believed her. Turns out, she was right. I am SO grateful that I have you as a sister. You are truly extraordinary. Your such a hard and SMART worker. I am so proud of how committed to are to your work. You are also and amazing mother and I am so grateful that you let me be a part of your kids lives. You make me laugh and I love talking to you - especially about our parents.


Kyle,
Oh baby brother- I love you so much. Thank you for being such a respectful and loving man. You show your love for people in the ways that really matter- by taking the time to do things for them. I love it when we are home at the same time because I get to be even more lazy because you always offer to cook, run errands, and just make us all laugh. You are so helpful and generous and I adore you.



Kirk,
Thank you for letting me prove that some of your earlier impressions of me are not the real me (most of those rude behaviors were a reaction to the heart medication if you recall). :)
Thank you for being a super cool dude, for raising three of the coolest kids I know, for loving my sister, and for letting me be a part of your kids lives.

Sarah,
As the newest member of the Mann clan, thank you for joining our mostly awesome, occassionally psychotic family. Thank you for loving my brother. Thank you for your book recommendations (keep them coming), and for the random text shout outs. Now you guys just need to come visit NYC. :)

Avery, Wyatt and Mitchell,
Thank you for making me an Aunt. Thank you for being the three raddest, funniest, most talented, best looking kids I know. I love you!