Chapter 67, Still Thankful

Time just has gotten away from me lately. I was planning on posting a list of things I am thankful for before Thanksgiving, but I feel that it is better to get it done late than never, so here we go:
The many Blessings in my life that I am thankful for:
Anthony: My Prince Charming. He makes sure the bills are paid (as if it were left to me we would be living in a huge ball of yarn and fabric in the middle of a corn field LOL) and spoils me with little gifts and treats. He goes to work every day, comes home every night, and goes out of his way to make me happy. What more can you ask for in a husband?
Nicholas and Amanda: My children. Okay so technically then are my step-children, but to me they are mine. Nicholas turns 13 in December, Amanda is 11. They have been in my life for 5 years, and if feels as if they have always been there.
My family: My grandparents raised me, as my mother died when I was young, but to be honest, it was more like I was their "change of life" baby. I have almost always lived with them, and my aunts have been more like big sisters (and often mother hens) than aunts. My Grandmother has taught me to be strong, and that I can survive anything that comes along. She is the one who taught me "Never let them see you cry." Which I never understood until the past few years. I always thought it meant don't show emotion, but hat is not it. It means to be strong, hold it together, and show the world your strength. My Grandfather (dad) has taught me to give and share blessings without drawing attention to yourself. Don't talk about helping others. Just do it. whenever and wherever you see the need. I can not tell you how many people Dad has helped. Both my grandparents. They have done so much that no one knows about. I can remember then going grocery shopping and dropping bags of groceries off at the door of one of their renters who was behind int heir rent, but also had a houseful of children. I can remember extra treats stashed to give to the children of people that rented from them. Dad fixing or "finding" bikes for kids that didn't have any. When we used to walk though the swap meet, Dad always seemed to have a few extra dollars that he shared with people who needed them. My Aunts Bonnie and Marie have always been there, hovering like big sisters/mother hens as I grew up. They, along with my grandmother, encouraged my love of thread and fabric. I have spent countless hours watching/helping/learning as they crochet, knit, embroider, paint, and cook. And I can't forget Aunt Charlene, Penny, and Donny. They are my favorites of my extended family. The ones that have been around all my live. Penny and my mom were pregnant at the same time. Donny and I are only 6 months apart. Aunt Charlene is the cool aunt everyone always wanted. She would roll up the carpet in her living room so you could roller skate in the house. She and Penny have always spoiled me. They go out of their way to make you feel special. And they can cook some awesome tacos.
Christine and her family: Christine has become my family here on the east coast. She is more than a friend, but has become my sister. I feel more like an aunt to her two kids. The holidays and any day would feel empty without them around. Christine also encourages my fiber addiction/fascination. LOL she is I guess my knitting teacher, partner in crime, and so much more.
My Yahoo family: I have a group I belong to on yahoo, stitchmap, which has the most caring and giving women on it. There is Shari, my mentor who I just love. She shares and gives so much of her time and talent. Lyn who guides and gives and is Shari's partner in crime, Miss Ruby, who loves Doxies as much as my Aunt Marie and Miss Judyth! Oh she is the best? she is my dealer! ( when I need my fix for CQing) and she has also encouraged my collecting of birds. (thanks to her I have the flamingo girls!) and so many more that it would take a while to list them all. I love reading each and every post, and I always feel as if we were all sitting together at a coffee table with our knitting/quilting/projects just gabbing away as we worked. I love that feeling. They are the greatest group of women. All of them so sharing and supportive.
The doggies: Okay so they are not people, but my pommie is my baby, and Chester and Misha are my furries. They give me comfort and love on a daily basis, and I would feel lost without them.

There are many more aunts and uncles and cousins, people I work with that I consider friends, and I love or care about them all. But the above group is the most important to me. The ones I think about daily.
There are a lot of things I am thankful for. The Lord has blessed me with an over abundance. I have a home I love (crooked floors, old windows and all), my cars, my job, my sewing machines (oh how very thankful I am to have them!) more fabric, yarn and thread thank I could possible go through in a life time, so much so that I can share with others, warm clothes, a pantry full of food, a freezer full of food, my camera and computer. So many things I use and take for granted every day. While we are not rich, we are blessed with an abundance that can be shared.

Okay I am going to kind of close this post with a prayer. Lord, thank you so for all the gifts you have given me and mine. Help me to remember that not all have the blessings I have, and to look at my possessions and blessings as something to be shared, not horded. Help me to give when and where and what I can. Help me to always have an open and giving heart and nature. Help me to live your love, not preach it, and to be an example of love and a strong Christian woman in my actions, not my words. My my actions and attitude bless others, and help them see Your love.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.