I'm tremendously thankful for:
1. Kevin - it's a blessing to wake up with him by my side everyday. I'm eternally grateful for you, amor. The day I met you, it felt like my heart grew three sizes bigger and it continues to grow everyday.
2. My family - my parents who I owe my life to. My mom who I can call at 7am or 11pm to ask some ridiculous questions about "adulting" and not once has she laughed or judged me for it. My dad who keeps working so hard to provide for the family and always with a smile on his face. On my toughest days, I think of you and it gives me strength. My younger brother and sister, you are the reason why I may look 20 instead of 26. The other day at work, a parent mistaken me for a high school student and that's all thanks to you two, you two keep me hip, trendy, and cool (or so I think I am, don't tell me if I'm not!).
3. Kevin's family. For example, his grandfather from his dad's side makes me feel like I'm one of his own and I've felt that since the first day I met him. His love reminds me of the love I had with my grandfather from my mom's side. Even though, most of mine are in heaven, I'm so grateful for my husband's grandparents. They fill the empty space in my heart with their love.
4. Friends - like that one quote says, "friends are the family you choose" and I am the luckiest woman on Earth with the special people who share their friendship with me. Some with whom I've shared memories with since pre-school, the ones who came into my life during my teenage years, and the ones who I've created memories with in the last two years. I'm so grateful for you, thank you for sticking with me, and even saying these words isn't enough to show just how appreciative I am of you.
5. Our fur babies - coming home after a long day at work and feeling their unconditional love is one of the best feelings I've experienced. A dog's love and a cat's love (even though both are extremely opposite on how they show their love) is truly one of a kind.
6. The health of our loved ones and mine as well. The energy and appetite I have for life everyday.
7. My job - I don't know many people who love their job and that's sad. You spend a huge chunk of your day doing whatever you call your career, it's a key factor of what can make you happy and healthy. My students may stress me out some days, especially when they come to see me a couple of days before grades are due and ask me what ELSE can they do to improve their grades. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!? That's what I want to say to them, instead I take a deep breath, help them collect any missing work and assist them on getting that work done or helping them in finally understanding a concept that they didn't get a couple weeks ago. Then, I have those special moments when a student comes barging in my class with their grade report in hand saying, "Mrs.Morris, I got a ___ (typically A's and B's) on so and so!" with a grin from ear to ear. These moments make it all worth it and don't get me started with the people I work with. They are the best humans on this planet. Period.
8. My faith in Him. Without him, I wouldn't have anything to be grateful for. God is so good to me.
Now, it's your turn. Share what you're grateful for or better yet, tell them in person or by phone, it doesn't matter as long as you do it. It's an incredible feeling... I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!
With love,
Alessandra
