ThanksLiving

That's a phrase I heard the other day that got me thinking: ThanksLiving. It means to live thankfully. It's so easy to be negative about the different parts of life. Work is too hard, too far away, too demanding; the weather is too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry; people are too nosy, too distant, too needy; food is too done, too rare, too salty, too sweet. So, I'm making every effort to be thankful in my attitude, and there is so much to be thankful for.

Thankful does not begin to cover how much I appreciate the special people in my life. My entire family ROCKS. Seriously. We are here for each other, listen to each other, love each other. We give each other space without being jealous of time spent with other people. We pray for each other, support each other, and are always driven about what would be best for the others in the family. I do not see my family changing...it was the way Pam and David and I were brought up, and we are bringing up our children that way. Already I see those same traits in my grandchildren.

I am also thankful for my school, the gym, and my co-workers. The coaches at the gym and the teachers at CCA and the teachers I'm associated with through the online classes I teach are loving, helpful, and supportive. We LOVE each other and try to help one another with class problems and life problems. In each area, we work together to provide the very best. My teacher friends are AWESOME.

Next, I am so thankful for the students God has placed in my classrooms...and I know he has been responsible for the ones assigned to me. No matter how much I might wonder what sin have I commmited to deserve a time of bad behavior,  the children always win me heart and soul, and I learn so much from them and their parents.  I mentioned in a previous post about a student who always had to work so hard for every little point, and how much I admired him for trying so hard. That same student was the state trooper who was called to Robert's wreck and stayed at the hospital waiting for me. Oh,yes, I'm thankful for my students.

Friendship is another thing I am so thankful for. Daily I receive emails, text messages, comments on my blog, and phone calls that remind me of the many friends I have. They are so special to me and come from so many areas of life. Some I grew up with; others have moved from student or student parent to friend. Others I have developed relationships with throughout my life. I read once that if a person dies with two very good friends, he is lucky. I don't count myself lucky to have all my friends; I count myself blessed.

Most important, I'm thankful to know that I serve a living God, one who truly loves me and wants the best for me. People who do not know my God must be devastated, hopeless, and pitiful when a tragedy occurs and they do not have a higher power to turn to. How sorry I am for them during those times. How thankful I am for my God and my church.

As the holidays approach, I hope you will make a point to practice ThanksLiving. It's truly and attitude adjustment for the better!

What I'm Thankful For

• The mess to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
• The taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed.
• The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
• My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
• The spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
• All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
• That lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
• The piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.
• The lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
• My huge heating bill because it means that I am warm.
• Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means that I have been productive.
• The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am alive.
• The interruptions in my life because that means I am needed.