Reasons for thankfulness…

It’s difficult for me at times to drum up reasons to be thankful and/or grateful. Though my life hasn’t turned out the way I would have liked, who even knows if my anticipated path would have been good? Like many, I’ve been through the wringer. But, I’ve survived, and thrived and am thankful above all for that.

The old holiday traditions continue to change. This year, instead of preparing the epic meal, polishing silver, watching the parade, and football, I will visit with my mom in her memory care facility. She may or may not be in a good mood, she may or may not remember some things. She may or may not like me being there because it takes time away from her gentleman friend. So why am I grateful? Because she still remembers me and never fails to tell me how much she loves me.

I’m also thankful for friends who never hesitate to include me. I have invitations to join others for dinner. Though it would be good for me to be around others, I prefer to go home and decompress. As a highly sensitive individual, watching my mother’s decline is heart wrenching. It just knocks the stuffing out of me, no pun intended. She’s my last family member alive and I’m thankful that a part of her is still here.

Another reason to be grateful is for medical advances that are available. So even if I might think to rail about having macular edema in both eyes, I’m thankful there is treatment and that my health insurance pays for it. I don’t enjoy having injections in my eyes, but if it helps my vision I will keep doing it.

So even though all gray clouds may not have silver linings, I always think of the brilliant sunshine above all of the clouds. As long as I’m able to picture that, I’m able to put one foot in front of the other.

“All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I’ve loved them all”. “In My Life”. Lennon/McCartney