Thankfulness day 14

I am thankful today for health insurance and easy access to health care.  Its something I don't often think about, but when I have a sick baby and a worried heart, it's so reassuring to just pick up the phone and call and make an appointment.  I'm thankful I have insurance, that it's a $20 copay which I have available in my bank account and that it's a quick and easy thing for me to do.

I'm thankful that taking my child to the doctor does not mean a $180 emergency clinic visit (been there, done that, still paying the bill).  I'm thankful that I don't have to weigh out the lost time/pay at work with exactly how sick I think my child is - thankful that I can just decide he is sick and take him in.  I'm thankful that I don't have to weigh out the cost of medication (another $8-10 copay) against gas money, or grocery money, or  an electric bill disconnect notice.  I've been there too... so I really am, truly, thankful.

I'm not floating in money here, and not without concern for every dollar that is mine to spend, and I do weigh and measure expenses and place value on them.  But today? Today my child's illness is not something I have to weigh out, measure, assign value to, and worry to bits over.  Today I can take my child to the doctor, get the prescription, and still have money for my gas tank, my bills (well, most of them!) and food for our table.

Today is a day for being thankful.  And honestly, today is all I can handle!

Thankfulness day 13

On this 20 degree morning, I'm thankful for a warm jacket, a fleece suit for my baby, a car with a working heater, fleece lined tights, hot coffee, the open arms of friends who babysit, the opportunity for continued education, and so much more. Soooo much more... 

Thankfulness day 12

This day has barely started and already I'm thankful.  I'm thankful for the opportunity for potential employment, for a chance, for hope.  I'm thankful for the joy of a quiet day with kids who love to curl up and read the day away. I'm grateful for an evening ahead planned with friends, dinner in the oven already, and the taste of hot chocolate still on my tongue.

Thankfulness day 11

I'm so thankful for the bags of hand-me-downs that filled my baby's drawers full of warm, soft clothes that fit and will last us all winter and spring. I'm thankful for the generosity of other Mommas, for the community o parenting, and for grace.

Thankfulness day 10

I am so thankful for my friends, those true ones who see me at my ugliest and my most bare, and who love me anyway. Calling a friend and saying out loud, "I'm sad, I need help, I'm afraid, I'm lonely" and knowing she will respond with love and honesty is a priceless gift. I have only a few; I'm not one of those social butterflies who collect friends at every turn, but the few I have are ones I trust enough to call and say, "I'm broken..." Without fear of judgement. I'm blessed by my friends...

Thankfulness day 9

Today I am thankful for laughter, for children who mix up words like "masticate" and "masturbate", for open conversation and authenticity and love. 

Thankfulness day 8

I am thankful today for second chances, and for those hearts that are big enough to offer them.