So much to be thankful for

I can't believe it is here again. Thanksgiving.  I love bringing the family together. I love all the wonderful food, but mostly I love hearing the ones I love talk about what they are thankful for.

I always thought, years ago, that blessings were found in perfection. I didn't realize blessings could be found through heart ache, or happiness could be felt after fears. I am starting to realize that one thing I am the most thankful for is joy. Joy cannot be taken away by heart ache, or cried out through tears. Joy is still possible even after we feel broken. Joy has the ability to come, even after the hardest days. So this year, I am thankful for joy. It is not one of those emotions that can always be felt, but when it lightens my heart there is nothing better.

Those moments give me strength to keep looking for the good.

Even through the tears and the smiles, life is full of amazing blessings. 

I am so thankful for the lessons I have learned through the tears that I have cried. For the gratitude I have felt through the days that I have smiled... And for the bright rays of hope that surround me each day to remind me . . . I am right where I am supposed to be. 

Even if today was one of the hard ones... Many tomorrow's will bring the smiles again! So don't give up. There is so much to be thankful for.

Last years post about Thanksgiving: 

Our first Thanksgiving as a family