One year ago

I wrote this note about a year ago (March 6, 2009) and uncovered it recently. My hope is that you take a minute to find the richness in your life, as often it’s easily overlooked.

“It’s funny because I spend so many days going through the motions of wake up, clean, work, babe wrangling, work, dinner, bed. There are days I forget to be thankful and get frustrated that my life isn’t ______ or I can’t do ______ for my job because of other things that take priority. But for today, this warm beautiful day, I am overwhelmed with how thankful I am for my life.

This all stemmed from a small moment as I plopped my daughter in the car after ballet. She scrambled into her seat, eyes sparkling, and proclaimed, “I’m a ninja mom! Did you see how fast I moved? Could you see me, I’m a ninja!” I couldn’t stop laughing. I’m so thankful for my beautiful, healthy children who make me laugh on a daily basis. Their sense of humor is hysterical. If they’re not cracking jokes then it’s dancing to the music with no fear of looking silly. Oh the freedom of childhood. I’m thankful that I can give my children a life where they don’t worry about food or shelter and receive an overabundance of love and support. I’m thankful that they seem to have a good head on their shoulders and understand what is “right” and not to hurt others with words or actions. I’m thankful that my children love each other. They chose to share a room, even though we told them they could have their own space. At night you’ll hear whispering and giggling until they finally pass out from exhaustion. For Valentine’s Day, baby girl made little man a bookmark that told him how much she loved that he comforted her when it was storming or when she was scared at night. And yesterday he held out his hand at the pool and said, “It’s okay, I’ll help you walk out there” when she was worried about the splashing water. Today R and I had lunch with baby girl. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from my child. She’s so big already and I’m so thankful for a job where I can be at home to watch her grow. I’m thankful that I had that time at home with my son as well. I’m thankful that my husband has a job where he can be with us every day…and his bond with the children is invaluable because of it. I’m thankful for these beautiful kids because I honestly never thought I wanted children. I don’t know what my life would be without them. Not matter how they frustrate me, or when I occasionally want to duct tape them to the wall when they’re acting up, they’re still such a beautiful gift.

My job. Ah my job. I’m thankful for my friends in the business that help me not to take myself too seriously, knock me back down when I get a big head and inspire me to do better, reach farther. I’m thankful that the higher powers plopped my husband into my life. I would never have jumped back into photography full time without him. He is my backbone, my therapist, my support, my life. I’m thankful for Mary who said, “I know someone who is PERFECT for you” when I had no interest in meeting someone and wanted to be single. Best blind date ever. Two months later we were engaged.
It’s funny, it’s just one of those days. A day where the frustrations of life are minimized by how much I really have. And I am rich. My children, my family, my friends, my job, my life…oh I am rich.”