November and December are months of reflection, appreciation, and celebration as families come together for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Of course, we are all thankful and grateful for everything we have in our lives, but we’re also very busy and our hectic lives prevent us from expressing all that we are thankful for every day of the year.

I’m taking the 30 Days of Thankfulness challenge on Facebook this month. Each day I am posting a status of something I am thankful for and I hope folks understand, that I am not just thankful this month. I am always thankful for everything and everyone in my life, each and every single day.

I would like to also take the opportunity to list 30 things here that I am thankful for and I hope it will inspire others to do the same. We are all thankful for something…and every day there’s something to be thankful for, even though it may be a bad day. So let’s reflect on what is good in our lives, instead of focusing on the bad. We’ll have happier hearts in the end.

30 Things I’m Thankful For

1. I’m thankful for my children. I’m so glad they call me Mom.
2. I’m thankful for my Dad, who has always been my rock, my teacher, my comedic relief. He’s always been there for me and is my best friend. I couldn’t ask for a better Dad.
3. I’m thankful for my baby sisters, who caused me so much grief when we were kids. As adults, we have become great friends.
4. I’m thankful for my grandchildren, who are all happy, healthy, and safe.
5. I’m thankful for my furbabies, past and present. They aren’t pets, they’re family.
6. I’m thankful for the friends I’ve made over the years, even those I’m no longer friends with. They have all made me stronger and helped me be the person I am today.
7. I’m thankful for the roof over my head, even though it leaks in a few places.
8. I’m thankful for laughing babies, kittens purring, soft rain falling, birds chirping, and wind chimes in the breeze.
9. I’m thankful for the freedoms I have as an American citizen. I can vote, drive, dress as I choose, go to school, seek medical care, worship as I choose, and make other choices when so many others are not afforded these rights.
10. I’m thankful for a nice hot bath on a chilly night.
11. I’m thankful to my therapist for giving me a bath lift so I CAN take a bath
12. I’m thankful for my favorite foods – pizza, chocolate, popcorn, Mexican food, cheese, soups, and a ton of other yummy things!
13. I’m thankful for my eclectic tastes in music and to those who share their concert pics because I can’t go to concerts like I used to!
14. I’m thankful for travelers who share their pics of the places they see, especially Scotland and its castles. I will most likely never get to go myself.
15. I’m thankful for sweatpants and long sweaters on cool Autumn days and in early Spring.
16. I’m thankful for lavender and tea tree essential oils because they have cured many a burn or infection!
17. I’m thankful for modern conveniences such as the washer and dryer, vacuum cleaners, electricity, running water, crock pots, and air fryers.
18. I’m thankful for the scent of lilacs in the Spring and the warmth of the sun on my face.
19. I’m thankful to all the teachers who have not taught me what to think, but HOW to think for myself.
20. I’m thankful for books, movies, and tv shows that not only provide entertainment and an escape from my pain but sometimes teach me something!
21. I’m thankful for the little bit of mobility I still have. I can still walk, but not much. I’m not bed-ridden and that’s a good thing.
22. I’m thankful for the pain meds that keep my pain level down on most days. Nothing else has helped in the least.
23. I’m thankful for all of the kind, compassionate, respectful, empathetic people in this world. It helps to know humanity isn’t lost forever.
24. I’m thankful for our new veterinarian, Dr. Missy. She’s very compassionate and loving towards my furbabies.
25. I’m thankful for Capt. Morgan, who helps me on days that my pain meds don’t.
26. I’m thankful for pawprints in the snow; cats, deer, bunnies, coyotes, bear…doesn’t matter, they’re all important.
27. I’m thankful the spiders and insects go into hiding when it’s super cold. By mid-summer, I’m sick of them all! (Sick of spiders always!)
28. I’m thankful for the memories I have (even the bad ones) because at least I can remember.
29. I’m thankful for my nice warm bed even though the furbabies hog half of it.
30. I’m thankful for the internet and to all of you! Thanks for reading!

Remember to give thanks, no matter what your beliefs, situation, or surroundings. There’s always something to be grateful for. Peace, my friends. ☮