There's lots of stuff I'm thankful for in 2008. Here's a sprinkling:
1. I lost my job.
I know, I know. It's not the most common thing a person is thankful for, but I have a lot of reasons why. I lost my job early in this terrible downturn, and so I was able to find freelancing and a stable, new job fairly quickly. I lost my job right before the wedding, which was scary financially, but also great to have time off to tie up loose ends and get ready. And although I wanted to leave my job on my own terms, I knew I was ready to move on before the layoff happened. I rebounded, I'm learning about money, and I'm happier than I've ever been in my career, doing something that I wouldn't have dreamed of doing earlier. Adventure is good.
2. I got married.
I tricked this super handsome boy into proposing, and he followed through to the signing of the license! He's
so legally bound to me now. Our wedding day could not have been any more spectacular. The location, friends and family by our side, the love, the good food, the warm ocean, our time together in Hawaii. Our reception at home was lots of fun, connecting with family and friends after the main event. We received so many generous gifts, too.
3. I'm in love.
I'm thankful that six months in, I am more in love with William than ever. I feel like what we have is really special.
4. I have a happy little dog.
We might recall that Mo had some scary moments this year; she's pulled through so far and seems to be just fine. I can snuggle with her anytime I want. She's my little friend, and helps complete our little family. She's our Mos!
5. My blog.
It's a good outlet, it keeps me writing, and I have met so many blog friends! I can honestly say I love my blog friends and I can't wait for the day when I can hug them in person. Why, just today, I got two sweet gifts in the mail, one from
Doahleigh and one from
Wan!!! It was a happy day. Thank you ladies, my cup runneth over.
6. We still live in our house. And can afford it.
It seems like a ridiculous thing to say, but a lot of people aren't. A lot of people are really struggling. We don't have it made in the shade by any stretch, but we're doing all right. Our house is warm, our tummies are full, we have warm clothes for cold winter months.
7. My Dad's still free of cancer.
He had a scary hip replacement surgery this fall, and recovery is slow, but he is recovering and looking stronger every day. And this is the third year he kicks cancer's ass!
8. One more cancer-kicker in our family.
William's aunt Kay also kicked cancer's ass this year, and we were so joyful, proud, and brimming with emotion to see her cross the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, 60-mile Walk finish line with her sisters!
8. Friends and family are mostly healthy.
If you ain't got health, you ain't got much else. This one counts for a lot.
9. Babies!
So many people in our lives welcomed babies into the world this year, both online and in real life. Some babies are still baking, and we can't wait to see them. Happy, healthy, sweet babies. We can't wait for you to make the world a better place to be.
10. Obama, baby.
William and I are both so glad that Obama was elected this year and we look forward to the change he's promising.
11. I finally went to the doctor for my stomach.
I'm trying to kick IBS's ass, too. And there are pills. Sweet, sweet pills, that I can afford. So I can eat more of my expensive cheese.
I think this year we're really thankful for all the experiences that have led us to this point, both good and bad. We've become a year wiser, and a year more appreciative of the love and support we continue to get (and give) in our lives together.
Being happy, healthy, and relatively secure and being able to do some contributing back has been the key. It's been a total rollercoaster, an amazing year, at times a tough year, but it has been one for the books. We're so glad to be surrounded by our friends and family. It's been a year where we've been able to do a lot of reflecting on what makes life worth living, what makes it extraspecialdoublegood. And we've got that right now. And it makes me feel so good.
