As I left work Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I hugged my co-workers goodbye, many of whom will still be working while I break bread and carve turkey with my family. I drove home with a bittersweet feeling, thankful for the opportunity to spend the Thanksgiving holiday at home for the first time in years, but with a tinge of guilt for those who aren’t so lucky. It made me realize just how much I have to be thankful for. There’s a lot.
1. The most incredibly family in the entire world
2. Friends who might as well be family
3. My husband and all of the other soldiers who are fighting to protect my freedom
4. My freedom
5. Cabernet Savingon
6. The opportunity to dress/act as ridiculous as humanly possible at Bay to Breakers
7. To have food on my table and in my belly
8. Lazy Sundays in the French Quarter
9. God
11. The ability of others to make beautiful music, an ability I can only admire
12. A career that challenges my mind, my creativity and is never, ever boring
13. The roof over my head
14. Beagles running free in the park
15. Health
16. My biggest concern is what color to paint the kitchen cabinets
17. Role models like my 2nd grade teacher Ms. Larick, my dance teacher Deirdre Hawkins and my GMA idol, Robin Roberts
18. Ghirardelli chocolate
19. Laughter, so much laughter
20. Sloths, specifically Noel (I love you, Noel)
21. People who are different than me
22. Inside jokes that only my friends and I find funny. A bird rings!
23. Cheese
24. The United States of America
25. Green wigs and the happiness they bring
26. Forgiveness and the ability to forgive others
27. Folsom, Westwood, Paris, Casper, Reno, Fredericksburg and New Orleans. My homes.
28. Picnics under the Golden Gate Bridge
29. Elevator etiquette
30. Kermit Ruffins
31. People who push me to be better, do greater
32. The Dirty Dancing swan dive
33. Champagne brunch. Well, champagne in general
34. The ability to travel and explore different cultures
35. New challenges
36. Financial security
37. Mardi Gras season in New Orleans
38. Love
39. The sense of quiet solitude and peace each day during my morning run
40. My husband’s awesome dance moves
41. My sense of adventure
42. Football
43. Those who have trusted me, taught me and guided me into being the person I am today
44. The endless opportunity afforded to everyone in our country who chooses and works to seize it
45. Being small, just like my momma
46. Dreams
47. The emotional and physical scars that tell the story of every setback we’ve overcome
48. My daddy’s passion for race cars, an example to always follow my dreams
49. Madmen
50. To be the luckiest woman alive
you go girl, and ditto for me, for the freedom we have because men like Joey and my Hubby John LOL