Big trips. Fancy houses. Early retirement. All of those things sound amazing. They aren’t things that are happening in my life, but I will admit that I am envious of people who have these things. I mean, why are we so wrapped up in material things? Yes, there are things that bring us joy and happiness, but to what extent?
My 25th wedding anniversary is coming up this December. It is a huge milestone that my husband and I had planned on celebrating with a trip to where we spent our honeymoon. With the loss of my job, it’s not going to happen. Honestly, I was pretty sad about not being able to make the trip. But I find that I look around and see so many blessings in my life that I hadn’t really paid attention to in quite some time. I have a home, food, and an amazing family. That should be enough…
Last week my Caeleb had a bus issue with some bullies. I helped him get it solved with the school and the next day I was a little concerned. I went up to the school to check on him. He walked up to the office with a puzzled look, thinking something was wrong. I told him I was just checking on him to make sure he was okay. That afternoon he told me, “Mom, the best part of my day was when you came to the school to check on me. You made me feel safe.” Who needs a trip when I have an amazing relationship with my little boy?!
My Julian is 21 and he and his friends gather to play Dungeons and Dragons regularly. While we were in the kitchen, he asked me about a story he was creating. He needed a twisted plot, and I delivered! We were laughing as I kept going into some really crazy places with his story…how many moms have a relationship like that with their young adult child?
And my husband, the love of my life. I sent him to Chicago for a national hemophilia meeting and while he was there I could hear that he wasn’t himself. I finally realized it was because he was alone and not with me and the boys. When I picked him up from the airport I felt like we could both breathe again. How many people are married to their best friend? How many people have never wondered whether or not their spouse has strayed?
I sat today in church and talked to God. How in the world did I get blessed with these three men in my life? They have made me a better person…they have shown me how to love deeper than I ever dreamed.
Big trips, fancy houses and early retirement are great, but I would never trade them in for the depth of the love I have for my family.
Today I Am Thankful For:
- bookmarks
- a lunch date with my hubby
- stickers
- my Yeti
- an organized closet
