How LUCKY am I ...

It isn't often I sit down and think about just "how lucky I am" in this life.  The holidays however always bring back memories of days gone by and that's when I start to truly reflect.  So often our days just whip by without our noticing the little things in our daily lives that mean so much, it's often those little things when we look back that truly were "the big things" after all.  

This Christmas I want to just say how lucky I have been to have had two amazing and loving parents in my life.  They were strict when they needed to be and yet I never went to bed thinking that they didn't love me.  I had everything I ever needed, maybe not everything I ever wanted, but we never went without.   

I have two wonderful sisters, both older than me and wonderfully caring.  They never let me get in to too much trouble, and yup they told on me occasionally, but they loved me and I can't imagine what my life would have been like without them.

I was surrounded by loving aunts and uncles and cousins galore.  We had so much joy when we were together and we continue to find joy in one another's company when we are able to get together even now though we are older.  When we cannot get together, we have memories to get us through.  Family is an amazing thing, never take it for granted.

I have friends whom I love dearly.  Some have been my friends since we've been very young, and though our lives have gone in different directions, we've moved to different states and haven't seen each other in years, I always know that their friendship is mine forever.  Some friends are people I have met online through scrapbooking websites.  I've met a few and some I may never meet, but they fill my life with joy when I receive a card in the mail, or a special message on Facebook.  These friends have gotten me through good days and bad. I have such respect for people who can trust and love me even when all they know about me is what I have chosen to share in public forums.  

I have reasonably good health and health care when I need it.

I live comfortably and I have a roof over my head. I have never had to worry about where I will sleep at night.

I live in a good country, where we have been granted many liberties. 

I have deep beliefs and strong opinions, they are mine and no one can take them away.  I am Free and able to come and go as I please.  

I have been married twice and learned something from each relationship I have had in my life.

I was blessed with an amazing daughter from my first marriage.  She is smart, beautiful and talented, I wouldn't trade her for the world, and my world would be nothing without her.  

My second marriage brought me love, laughter, a wonderful friend and companion and an amazing father figure for my daughter.  He passed away far to young and he will never be forgotten.

Thirty Three years after I left California, I was reconnected with an old "flame".  Patrick and I have since become a couple.  We live together and are growing in our relationship.  He is loving and fun to be with.  I am lucky to have him back in my life.

My girl ... she completes me. She makes me smile every single day.  She is my reason for being.  I know that God entrusted me with this beautiful soul for a reason.  She taught me to be a mom, she continues daily to bring joy to my life.  I am thankful for my Morgan Leigh.

Mushy ... maybe just a little bit, but life can get busy, and sometimes it's a good thing to stop and remember all that we have to be thankful for.