Things I'm Thankful For...

“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything." ~Thomas Merton

I was just thinking about all the things I'm thankful for and thought I'd jot a few down to share with ya'll this Thursday!

- SoulMate Friend started a blog.  SHE STARTED A BLOG!  I seriously just about screamed in my office when I found out, and, of course, rushed right over to read it.  You should too.  Here's the link.  She's brilliant.  And the sweetest person ever.  And an amazing writer.  And one of my favorite people.  If I were you, I'd read her blog instead of mine.  No, seriously.  I would.  Now go.

Me and SoulMate Friend - Homecoming -  2008

-  The ability to run.  I've been complaining to anyone who will listen about how flippin' hot and humid it is here in this new home of mine.  I'm talking, you go running at 5:30 am and are still soaking wet and your glasses fog up kind of hot and humid.  And yesterday my legs were so sore I had to swap out my usual heels for flats.  But then I saw a woman in a wheelchair when I was driving home from the gym.  And I was reminded that instead of moaning and groaning, I should just be thankful.

OKC Half Marathon 2013

-  The kindness of strangers.  Last week, after a particularly stressful Tuesday, I found a loaf of homemade banana bread on my door with a note from a sweet woman who is part of the "bread baking team" at the church I attended on Sunday.  God speaks to us through kind strangers and carbs, I was reminded.

-  A loving family.  Sometimes, my family can stress me out.  You've never seen a bunch of people who are so up in each other's business all the time.  Basically like that tv show Brothers and Sisters except that we're conservatives, we're country, and we don't have money like that.  We're frankly complete insanity.  But you know what?  Those crazy people love me no matter what.  And that makes all the rest just fine by me.

Family Thanksgiving 2012

- Chocolate.  It just makes me feel better.  That's really all there is to it.

- College Roomie.  The professional wedding photographer snapped this shot and it just makes my heart happy.  That's what a photo of "best friends" looks like folks.

College Roomie's Wedding - May 2013

-  Airplanes.  Which are going to allow me to be back in God's country for Cousin Whitney's wedding in about half the time it would take to drive.  And I can sleep while getting there.  Score!

-  ND Friend.  Who is a rock star.  And did her first sprint triathlon last weekend.  Which has convinced me that I need to sign up for my own.  Please check out how cute she is AFTER completing a swim, bike and run.  Her hair looks perfect, her face is not flushed, not a drop of sweat on her.  Then she probably went home and made cookies for orphans or something.  I love that girl!

ND Friend is the one in the black.
You'll also recognized the male in the group as Tiny Dancer.

-  The ideas that Meg shared in this blog.  Here is my favorite part...

"but here’s the thing, and this is a relatively new thought for me, i wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s. because not everyone gets to have this experience. and maybe it’s lucky that i do. and others may live their lives better–but not with my peculiar flavor and music.  this is my lot and i’ll be damned if i don’t figure it out. and frankly i’d like to see how it all plays out. which is to say, i’m invested in the story. i’m invested in the story of my own life. which, i think, is not a bad place too be at twenty-seven."