T'is the Season

Regardless of my stress and ever-changing job, I have much, much to be thankful for. While trying to relax over the weekend, I thought of this list. I'm thankful...

1. For my faith. I have so many days where I feel as though I'm on the last cusp of sanity. My faith keeps me grounded and I know I can always call on God to recenter myself. Plus, it just helps when your surrounding leadership team all subscribes to the same faith tradition and you know God's somehow sustaining us all. Somehow...between all the trucker brew coffee and Red Bull!

2. For Jack. Jack's still adjusting to his new career, but he still takes time to support me, talk me off ledges, and most importantly, make me laugh. I hope everyone has someone in their lives who makes them laugh! Thank you for everything, Jack. I still can't believe I married that nerd in flannel who sat across the room from me in youth group! :)

3. For my family. Despite my crazy dreams and ambition, my family still always supports me. They put up with me working insane hours and seem to understand when I do need help. Many of my family members offer unconditional love and acceptance, good things for anyone to have....oh, and they supply me with homemade baked goods.

4. For my friends. You know who you are. Most people have good friends, but I have hit the jackpot on this one. I have several friends who would do anything for me and I would do anything for them. In short, my friends put Carrie Bradshaw's foursome to shame. Plus, they wouldn't steal my best heels!

5. For my job. I'm grateful for my career, its advancements, and the opportunities I receive at work. Regardless of my stress, I am grateful for my job each and every day I walk through the front doors of the hospital. It's easy to take any career for granted, but in this economy, I'm grateful just to have a job.

5. For the other awesome opportunities I've had. Yes, I've been able to travel and experience a lot of neat cultural events, shows, recitals, musicals, theatricals, etc. But I'm especially happy for the 'carpe diem' attitude I cultivated from somewhere. From my life experiences, I am acutely aware that life is short and we need to live the best life possible. As a result, I've worked myself to death at work, lived the heck out of each weekend, and am proud to say that I live each day as though it's my last. Y'know, just like in the words of Nickelback in "If Today was Your Last Day."

6. For those who take care of me when my body breaks down. Because I do push the envelope often (frequently? always?), Jack sometimes has to put me back together when I fall apart. Others do, too. Like the lady at Midway Airport who made me a yummy, comforting hot chocolate with hot milk when I was flying with a terrible cold. Or my assistant who, when I was sick, set hot water, a tea bag, and two packets of honey on my desk in my office. Or one of the other executive assistants who can tell when I need a strong cup of coffee in the afternoon at work (sense a theme here?)

7. For the knowledge that life is a journey and that I don't have to be perfect yet. While I'm achieving a lot at work, it's definitely, most definitely taking a toll. I'm grateful that I don't *have* to have this all down yet; that I have the rest of my life to perfect what I'm doing, where I'm going, and why. And yes, I have to keep reminding myself of this fact. Actually, can you help remind me, too?

That's the greatest realization...that none of us have to be perfect at this thing called life.

Now...where's that turkey?

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year with the five F's. Great, homemade food, family, faith, football, and fire. It's the one holiday my mom lights the fireplace and we have the ambient warmth of a Norman Rockwell scene...until the women get too hot from cooking in the kitchen and can the fire!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!