Finding Thanks

I recently came to the realization that the last two years of my life have been marked by many ‘firsts,’ albeit very different in their nature.  2010 was such a joyful year, celebrating so many firsts with Lucy:  our first Mother’s Day together, our first Halloween with Lucy as an angel, our first Thanksgiving in Carmel with my family.   2011 has been marked by a different set of firsts:  firsts without my Mom.  I went through my first Mother’s day without her, my first birthday, and soon…my first Thanksgiving.   It is interesting how the pendulum swings;   one minute (or year) you can be riding high, content as can be…and the next feeling low and lost without your Mom.  

So all I can think, in this week of giving thanks, is to focus on those things that I am grateful for.  It seems appropriate with the circumstances, that I concentrate on what my Mom gave me, as it was so much.  After all, it was her teachings (as well as my Dad's) that have led me to living the life that I live today…which, by the way, is a very good life. 

Here are those teachings that I am most grateful for:

The value of being with family.  

The importance of having God in your life.

The necessity of communication.

The love of being a lifelong learner.

The value of being true to yourself.

The joy of cooking and the virtue of hospitality.

The rewards of staying at home, to be with your child.

Thank you Mom.  You were a good teacher.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all!