Gratitude

I want to express my gratitude to my Father in Heaven for all I have been blessed with. 

I have a wonderful husband.  A husband who will do anything for me - or for anyone else.  He cooks, cleans, takes care of the vehicles, takes care of the yard, takes care of the dog poo, helps the neighbors.  He is amazing.  He puts up with me and my crankiness.  He puts up with Sterling and his pre-teen attitude.  He does what he can to help those around us - and he feels terrible when he isn't able to help.  When neighbors have moved in and he couldn't help (because he just had shoulder surgery) he felt bad and really wanted to help.  When those same neighbors put in their sprinkler system, he felt horrible because he just had his knee scoped and couldn't help.  (We called him "Grandpa" using his cane.)

I have a child who melts my heart more than anything.  He may have that pre-teen attitude and may make me want to pull my hair out, but he is a sweet son.  He winks at me as he is passing the sacrament.  He still wants to hold my hand (at times).  He loves to hug me.  He is a kind child who, although he is selfish at times, willing to share what he has with those who don't have as much.  I sure love him.

I have been blessed with my "baby" - Duke, our dog.  He is so good and obedient and loving.  He gets so excited when we come home and smiles at us (he is baring his teeth - but his butt is going a mile a minute).  He is a calming presence in our home.

I do have a couple of wonderful step-children.  Things are much better in that area and there have been some wonderful phone calls.  I am so excited to see them in June.  All of them.  (Although I think it may be difficult for me not to stare at all of TJ's tattoos if he takes his shirt off).

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and that has been such a blessing to me.  It seems like members are being bombarded with comments like "being brainwashed" and questions about how we can feel that way and accusations about our religion.  But I know I belong to the true Church.  I feel it as I am reading the scriptures.  I feel it as I see the wonderful blessings I have been given.  I feel it as I pray for comfort in our trials.  I feel it as I witness huge blessings in my friends and neighbors.  I am so far from perfect.  But I know that because of Him I get to keep on trying.  That I can work on my deficiencies and my mistakes and improve myself.

I have been so blessed.