Rocking The Baby

As I sat in the rocking chair slowly moving to and fro with Baby Caroline (she's still a baby to me, no matter what her age) snuggled against my chest, I started thinking.
Thinking about yesterday, today, tomorrow, next week, next month....

Thanksgiving has always been something I dreaded. All I could ever think about was eating mass quantities of food, gaining weight, eating more food, etc. I found myself worrying about the little details and forgetting to actually be thankful for things.

After all, I have my youth, 3 beautiful children, a loving/caring husband, wonderful family & friends, a warm house, a cozy bed, 2 nice cars, and money for food, gas, bills, etc. The list could go on and on.

As I rocked in the dark room, listening to Caroline's heavy breathing, I felt ashamed.
Ashamed that I had waited practically all year to actually be thankful for my life. I can truly say that I've never been "without" anything---needed OR wanted. I've been so very well taken care of, and that's not something to forget.

I'm thankful for my salvation--that I have a Heavenly Father that provides for me and accepts me "as is."


Truthfully, I haven't felt too great over the past few days. Symptoms of a massive head cold have bombarded me left and right. It was very hard to even get out of bed this morning, but I didn't want something silly to keep me from sharing a 2nd Thanksgiving meal with John's family (we had Thanksgiving with my family yesterday, and it rocked!). I wanted so badly to stay in bed and just sleep until my head unclogged and I could breathe/smell again, but that wasn't going to be a reality.
I'm thankful I got out of bed and enjoyed good company/food. :)
I'm even more thankful that I live in a country where cold medicine is just down the street at the store.

I don't ever want to lose that spirit of thanksgiving again. After all, I am not guaranteed a perfect and painless existence, but I am promised to be comforted and well cared for. And for that, I am truly thankful.

May you all have a blessed, warm, cozy, beautiful holiday season. May you always find something to be thankful for, even when it doesn't come easy. Peace and love always.