Thanksgiving

I'm sure it's the pregnancy hormones, but I'm driving along, listening to the radio on the way to work this morning and I am overcome with emotion.

We all have so many blessings in our lives that we (or at least I) take for granted on a daily basis.

I have two beautiful, happy, HEALTHY kids and another one on the way! So they may get sick sometimes or they may even really drive me nuts at times. At least they CAN drive me nuts, and they CAN get the flu or a cold without me worrying that I can't afford medication for them or that some small illness will have an adverse effect on some greater illness that they live with on a daily basis. They have toys and clothes and friends and 3 meals a day and a warm place to live and blankets to keep them warm while they sleep. They have the benefit of education; as much as that school drives me crazy at times, it is there and available for the taking. They will grow up in a country where they have choices and freedoms that we all take for granted on a daily basis.

So I have bills to pay, and it's hard sometimes. At least I have money to fix the washing machine when it breaks and go to the doctor when I feel bad. At least I have that worry of HOW the bills are going to get paid and not IF they will. I have been blessed this year to have been to my lowest low financially. (Yes, I said blessed.) I have been down to the point of wondering how I would buy groceries for my family. But somehow, the money always showed up, even if it was to the point that I REALLY needed it, it showed up before my family had to go without. And although I would like for them to grow up knowing that they won't get everything they ever want in life, I have enough money to get my kids what they "want" for the holidays without overspending and tuning them into spoiled brats. We don't have to depend on someone else to bring us food for our Thanksgiving dinner. I don't have to let my kids find out the "truth" about Santa Claus because I don't have the money for Christmas this year.

I have a loving family. This morning, I heard this song that always reminds me of my dad letting me "drive" his truck while sitting on his lap when I was a little kid. And in my overly hormonal state I thought, how many kids in this country and other places around the world never get that simple joy of spending special time with a parent that loves them more than anything? I have so many memories from when I was little of doing something special with my mom or dad or grandparents or aunts and uncles. I took that for granted for a long time. Because I come from a rather large extended family, it was hard to see that there were others that didn't have that love and support.

I have a loving and supporting husband who encourages me to go after whatever it is that I want in this life, even if he does try to tell me HOW to do it in the meantime! :) He is there for me and our kids in all the ways that count. He WANTS to have a big family and he WANTS to be involved and that is more than I can say for a lot of fathers out there. He worries when he's not getting enough work and it looks like he may not be able to provide the things he feels he needs to provide our family. He loves me and our kids unconditionally and he is the best father I could have ever asked for my kids. We don't have a perfect marriage or family, but it comes pretty dang close.

I've been down this year, financially, emotionally, physically. But always, at some of the most upsetting times, I have seen or heard about someone else whose situation was far worse than the situation I was in at the time. This year has made me appreciate so much more the people in my life and not take things for granted anymore. I have learned some hard lessons this year about life and friendship and when to let go and quit trying. And I have made new friends that I know will be around for a long time.

Matt & I delivered groceries for the church last Saturday. One of the last houses we went to, a mom came to the door and her 6 children were behind her. It was a decent house and a decent part of town and I don't know the woman's story at all. She answered the door and one of her kids asked her what we were handing her. She said "It's groceries for Thanksgiving." EVERY single one of those kids said thank you to us! EVERY one! I'm not even sure in the same situation that my own kids would have been as gracious, although I hope they would. They were in a situation where they were depending on someone else for Thanksgiving dinner, but they still had smiles on their faces and appeared to be a happy, loving family.

Indeed, it has been a trying year at the house of Hodge, but you have to go through the storms to see the rainbow; right? Things are looking up. The sun is shining. I hope that everyone goes through some rough times because it makes you appreciate the good times more.

When you kiss your kids goodnight, think about how blessed you are that they are well and warm and happy. Think for a minute about the families that don't have cable or internet, or heat or hot water, by happenstance, not by choice. If you don't have kids, then the next time you go shopping for yourself, think about the people who can't afford new clothes and are embarassed by the ones they have that are worn out and don't fit right.

Take time to smell the roses instead of dwelling on the dead plant!

Happy holidays from the hormonal pregnant lady!