Living, learning and thankfulness...

Today I am thankful for many things. Simple things...yet truly wonderful and life-changing things. For me, some of them are: electric blankets and wireless internet. I have said it before, but I am am eternally grateful that I was not a frontier/pioneer woman who had to live without such modern comforts as electric heat and washing machines and microwave ovens. I would not have been a great Pilgrim, I'm afraid. My husband would totally agree. He has thanked his lucky stars that we aren't living in the 1700 or 1800's and having to hitch a team to a wagon to travel anywhere. I have grown more and more respectful of all that people endured in the years before I was born. It's seems fitting to be grateful and appreciative of the simple things I enjoy and take for granted way too often in this busy lifestyle we have all come to know as 'normal'. It wasn't always this way...and today I am thankful for 'modern luxuries'.

I also am deeply grateful for the ways we have all grown as a family the past few years- in ways we never expected we would have to, but they make us 'better' people as a result. I am thinking of all the things we have learned because of Wyndham's permanent injuries. We have all learned some sign language (Ava is signing 'I love you' in her picture)- some of us have learned more than others, but still, I am thankful that we all have the opportunity to learn to communicate with Wyndham. I think it is something everyone should do, if given the chance. There are more and more special needs kids and adults in this world, and what I see is that the more the 'regular people' learn how to communicate with those who have language issues, the easier it is for them {those who are challenged} to function well with the rest of us. I have seen how Wyndham's issues not only challenge her, but they make us all more patient and aware and sensitive and empathetic to her and to others. That is a wonderful thing- a blessing in disguise, you might say.

In addition to learning and embracing challenges, I am thankful for schools and education which opens doors and opportunities for a whole lifetime. I am so pleased to have my kids in a learning environment in which the teachers and administrators and parents are so involved and truly care about people and about their potential. It is something I think is taken for granted when you have it so well...we have it well and I just want to "publicly" thank the people who are working with my kids. Thanks to all those who work in education and take their roles in others' lives seriously. I think it can be routine and mundane...but it is so important and often makes a world of difference in the lives of children forever. It affects their future and futures to come. I am thankful for learning.

Lastly for today (and everyday) I am thankful for expressions of love. Especially within our family. I know everybody is different when it comes to how much 'love they show', but I really believe that there is no such thing as 'being too loving'. I love that my kids feel comfortable and it comes natural for them to "blow kisses" and to say I love you and sign I love you and that they get real-life hugs and kisses everyday just warms my heart. Sometimes I 'smother them' because I feel like I am making up for the kisses I wish I could give Teagan or the realization that one never knows how many chances you have to lavish love on those closest to you. I took it for granted, and at times I thought I was even savoring the moments and loving the best I could, but I have learned that there is always room for 'more love'. There are days I wish I could turn back the clock and go back in time and give Teagan a million more hugs and tell her I love you a million more times. Maybe I learned the hard way...and don't think for a second that Teagan didn't get her share of love, because she did! It's just that I know time is short, and I am glad I learned the lesson early in my kids' lives and now I shower them with love. Not just at bedtime...but anytime.

It really is a wonderful thing to pause for a few moments and realize the number of things we all have to be thankful for in life. No matter who we are or where we are. There are blessings when we choose to 'see them'. I just may have to do weekly gratitude posts here. Feel free to leave a short list of the things you can think of to be thankful for today and leave them in the comments. I thank you in advance. =)