New Friends and Inspiration

Last winter while wandering the beach at Kiawah Island I met the most amazing woman. Her name is Kathy Smith. We talked for a while and quickly became friends. She told me about a charity run by her son and I checked it out. I was so impressed I asked if I could become a sponsor. As a result I give 10% of my earnings on Cold Case: Sleeping Dogs Lie to Tanner's Totes.

I have held high hopes of seeing Kathy again this winter. I would love to get to know her better. Today I received an e-mail from her. She continues to amaze me. However I'm going to provide links to her son's blog so you will understand why.

http://www.tannersmyth.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-hero-my-father.html  You need to read this one first to understand something of what Tanner has grown up with.

Then you need to read this one for what is currently happening. http://www.tannersmyth.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-final-chapter.html


Kathy does not know if she and Craig will be able to make the trip to Kiawah this winter. I can understand why. This will be a long road for them. The one thing she told me in the e-mail today was not to feel sorry for them. I don't I am amazed at their resiliency. I admire the strength of the entire Smith family. I am proud to call Kathy a friend.

I am thankful for the inspiration they all are.

TTFN

Seasons

I am thankful for the changing seasons. As much as I am not a winter person I can appreciate the beauty of freshly fallen snow, or the first real snow of the season. In all honesty the only snow I want to see is on Christmas morning and I really only want a light snow then.

I love the spring when trees and flowers are budding. My allergies might not, but I love the reawakening of the plants. They are no longer winter dormant.

Summer is my favorite season. If if could be summer all year long I'd be happy. I love hiking and swimming. While I can hike in spring and fall, there is something about a summer hike through the woods that is different.

The leaves changing in the fall are beautiful. No one who has seen their splendor ever forgets it. The rustling of the fallen leaves when you walk through them lets you know it is time for the trees to prepare for winter.

Yes, today  I am thankful for the seasons. The seasons of the year, as well as the seasons of life.
TTFN

Laughter

I am thankful for the ability to laugh and those who provide me with the opportunity. It matters not whether it's baby laughter, the belly laughter of my nephew, or that of my grandchildren. Laughter is contagious. My life is currently full of laughter and for that I am most grateful.

I have heard that laughing burns up 35 calories every time you do it. If that is the case, I will lose weight in no time. I do know you can't be depressed if you are laughing. I also know I feel better when I'm laughing.

So, take time to share a laugh with someone.
TTFN

Unexpected Surprises

Election day came and went, however I had a dear friend tell me that she did not like the candidates for school board and as she stood in the voting booth was frantically thinking of who she could put for a write-in candidate. Yep, you guessed it, she wrote me in. Most likely the only vote I got as I was not running as a write-in candidate. I was not running at all.

It's nice to know that someone thinks enough of me to even consider I should sit on a school board. I guess after all my years of teaching I could do the job. I've just never considered it. It would also require that I stay in the community during the winter which would not work for me.

Over the years parents have come and gone. However, it's the ones you least expect it, who are the ones in your corner. I've had parents who haven't always seen eye-to-eye with me, but I've never had a confrontational parent. I think the biggest part of that is I listen. I may not always agree with their point of view, but I do listen.

I've had confrontational students. I listened to them too. And the funny thing is, those are the students who have come back as adults to ask for my advice and opinion.

So yes, it was unexpected anyone would think to write me in as a candidate for school board or any other position. But, it meant a lot that she did.  Thanks, Julie.
TTFN

Health

Today I am thankful for my health.While at times it is rocky, I am really doing quite well. I know being a diabetic has all kinds of complications. It affects the heart, the kidneys, and any other organ that gets in it's way.

I've come a long way to getting my sugars under control. I'm the girl whose A1C-three month blood test-has always been between 8.3 - 11.3 none of which are good. My most recent one done about two weeks ago was 7. See me do a happy dance. I've also lost a pound in that two weeks.

My blood pressure while not crazy, is not as normal as I'd like, but then this is me. My new doctor--actually a nurse practioner is awesome. She listens to what I have concerns with. She also agrees I know my body better than anyone else. I live in it. Or with it as the case may be.

While we are still doing some things that have been neglected, I am feeling better. Which means I'm functioning better.

So today...which is actually yesterday, I am thankful for good health.

TTFN

Freedoms

I am thankful for the freedoms won by our military over the years. I am thankful for the right to choose my government. I am also thankful for the women who risked their own lives, to earn me the right to cast a vote.

I am thankful to my forefathers...several of whom have held the highest office in this country for doing just that. I cannot imagine aspiring to be President. I cannot imagine the risk to family and friends should you be in that position. It is one not to be taken for granted.

I am thankful for the service men and women still giving their all to keep those freedoms I so cherish intact. I do know the sacrifices you make.
TTFN

Nieces and Nephews

I am thankful to have been blessed with an abundance of nieces and a couple of handsome nephews. It is not often they are all in the same place at the same time. It was the first time my youngest niece was able to be home for Christmas. She saw snow for the first time, up close and personal.

They have been a delight to watch grow up. They are successful and talented and I am so very proud to call them family. While the niece and nephew by marriage are not in the photo nor is my grand-nephew, but that doesn't make them any less in my heart.

I love you all.

TTFN

Most Important

Yep, my daughter. The most important person in my life. She has become the woman I always knew she could be. She had brought me more joy than I ever imagined and helped me grow up.

She is the mother of three, a wife for twelve years, has a full-time job, coaches high school gymnastics, is a graduate of the University of Phoenix, and finds time to spend with her children at their sporting events. She is the unofficial photographer for her children and their biggest cheering section.

While I have my moments and give her fits, I know she has my back. We don't see each other as often as I'd like, but we talk, text, or e-mail daily. We keep in touch. She is also my biggest fan.

When she took on bullies this fall, I couldn't have been more proud. I believe that part of her life it getting back to normal, but haven't taken her pulse there lately. She saw a wrong and stood her ground to make it right. She continues to make a difference for many.

I was going to wait to put her on my list of thankful for, but her birthday isn't until the end of the month and I didn't want her to feel left out.

Jamie Renee' you are and always have been my biggest reason for living. I love you.

TTFN

Differences

I am thankful the two people above are a part of my life. The young man in the photo is my nephew. The young lady is a former student and friend. Unbeknownst to me, the two of them met at Acorn Buddy Camp, a camp for handicapped children.

One year at Christmas I posted a photo of my nephew and Jen commented she missed him and how did I know him. My question was how do YOU know him? He is my nephew. Funny how small the world can be.

This past summer I took Jen with me when I went to visit my sister and nephew at their cabin. It's the first time Jen and Ryan have seen each other since Ryan aged out and was unable to attend the camp anymore.

While both have handicaps, they are the happiest two people I know. They have taught me much about looking past the disability and seeing the person. I am thankful for the education they have given me.

I love you both.
TTFN

Grandkids

I am very thankful for my grandchildren. They keep me young. Above is Megan Leesa. She is not only a stellar athlete, but also an academic all-star. Today I have the privilege of watching her run in the state cross-country meet. The only girl representing her team. She is ninth grade.

Above is Jason my handsome youngest grandchild. He is sixth grade this year. Also a stellar athlete, running cross-country this year for the first time. He's played Jr. Rams football, basketball, and baseball. Like his sister, he is an academic all-star. He's my bashful boy.

Last but definitely not least, my eldest grandson, Eric and his beautiful bride Angelina. They have recently moved to Michigan and I hope I will get to spend much more time with them.

Each of them adds a dimension to my life I would never have expected. I am so thankful they are all a part of my life. I have been blessed.

TTFN

Life

I'm thankful to be alive. Each day is an adventure. Some days are struggles, some are triumphs. Life is what you make it and for the most part mine has been good.

I have been blessed with family and good friends. I have friendships that span a lifetime. I've lost friends over the years we've grown apart and gone our separate ways. But those who have known me and are still around are the ones I count.

Life has brought me ups and downs. There have been more ups and I choose to celebrate those. Finding my career path as a teacher/mentor, being a mom, becoming a grandma, and finally realizing the dream of being a writer those are the things I celebrate.

Each of them has brought me joy and I am thankful for every one of them. A lot of children have crossed my path in the years I taught. Some are grown now with children of their own and I can count them as friends.

There have been tragedies, because life has those too. I choose not to dwell on the losses. They were only there to make me stronger.

Today I am thankful for and celebrate life.

TTFN