Journal Pals - Entry #7 - (Gratitude)

Journal Pals Entry #7 – Gratitude

I like the idea of this entry. About 5 years ago, my husband and I decided that we would try to simplify our Thanksgiving celebration a bit. Instead of going from house to house, celebrating with extended family, we would just celebrate here at home with our 3 kids. One of the traditions that we started at that time was to make a list of the things that each of us was grateful for, save it and then share the list the following year to see how our answers had changed. It’s one of our favorite traditions and a special way for us to be sure to remember how much we have to be grateful for.

I am grateful first and foremost, for my family. I am blessed that I have a strong support system right here in my house. My family loves and supports me unconditionally, and I am very grateful for that. My children get along well, which is amazing, and they truly are there for each other. My husband and I have had challenges in our marriage, to be sure, but we are so strong in our love and caring for one another that we don’t worry that the challenges will break us. We all have a lot of fun and laughs together, and we’re there to help each other through the tears, as well.

I am also grateful to still have my parents and two of my grandparents living. My grandmother in particular has had a lot of health problems over the last 20 years, and there have been many times when her doctors warned us that she wouldn’t live much longer, but she has proven them wrong every time. She is a strong, funny, loving woman and I am blessed to have had her in my life for so long.

I’m grateful that I am able to stay home with my kids, even though it’s sometimes a struggle financially. I’ve worked part-time off and on throughout my life, but most of the time, I’ve stayed at home with the kids. Since 1998, we’ve homeschooled our children, so it’s been crucial that I stay at home. We’ve definitely had to do without a lot of luxuries – we don’t have a big, fancy house or brand new cars – but I get a lot of time with my children, and that is more important to me. There will be time for luxuries when they’re older. J

I’m grateful that I am in a better place now than I was 4 or 5 years ago. In 2004, I basically had a nervous breakdown. I was depressed and was at my absolute lowest point ever. Since then I have worked and struggled to get my life back on track and to fight against the depression, and I am proud to say I am happy with my life now. I still have things that I need to work on, and issues that I need to deal with, but I am definitely doing much better than I was only 4 short years ago. I have been through a lot of trauma and sadness in my life, but it hasn’t broken me. I am grateful that I stay optimistic and that I keep fighting, no matter what.

Peace.

- Michelle Frost
“chelle523”