Thanksgiving

I remember my Thanksgiving post from last year very clearly.  I remember mentioning my family, Jimmy, our service men and women, my Faith, my friends, things of this nature.  Although I've understood how much I have to be thankful for in the past, I feel that this year I have more to be thankful for than ever.  That might sound a little backwards taking into consideration how many close loved ones I've lost in a year's time and how many other hardships I've faced, but I guess what they say is true; That you never know what you have until it's gone.  No matter how much I may have realized it before, I have so many great things in my life, even if they're no longer physically here with me.   

First and foremost, I have to say that I am thankful for my cousin Jimmy (SGT James C Robinson) for being my loving cousin and for being stronger than I will ever be.  I never realized just how much he taught me.  I'm thankful that he was brave enough to serve in the US Army and for loving his family enough to fight for our freedom and, unfortunately, lay down his life for our country, our freedoms, his family and friends, and even myself.  I truly know no greater Hero than my cousin, and that's why I'm thankful for having him ever been in my life.  Jim, I love you so much.  I'd give anything to have you steal dumplins off my plate this year.

Secondly, I have to say that I am thankful for our service men and women who, like Jimmy, serve our country and keep us free and safe.  Although I know that I can never thank each individual one, I would like to think that somehow, some way I can let them know how much I appreciate them.  For those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, I thank you and your families for doing the unthinkable.  Although I do not know the majority of you, I feel as though all of you are family through my cousin, and through my various other cousins in the military.  To Staff Sergeant Corey Henderson, Lance Corpral Tyler McNabb, Staff Sergeant Drew Robinson, and to Brette and Matt Karas, I thank you for your service to our country.

Thirdly (and not any less importantly), I am thankful for my Faith in God.  With everything that's happened this year, especially in the past three months or so, having God in my heart and life has kept me somewhat sane, though I suspect I never fully was to begin with.  If I've learned one thing it's that having one thing certain in life is extremely important.  Although I might have questioned my Father's Plan the past couple of months and might've even questioned His existence, I know that He will be with me always, even when I might stray or whatever the case may be.  Why?  Because He loves me, unconditionally and eternally.  After seeing how much of her life my Granny devoted to praising and spreading the Word of God, I know He has to be real.  And besides, I'd rather live my life as if there is a God to find out there's not, than to live my life as if there isn't and find out there is.

Fourth, I am thankful for my Granny for, even if I didn't realize it until the day she died, she taught me to trust God and to trust his plan.  In any relationship, trust is never just given, it is earned.  With this said, she, maybe without even knowing it, showed me where I needed God and that built trust - not only between me and my Heavenly Father, but also between me and my great-grandma. Granny, keep being my angel and I hope I do you proud when I say the Blessing in your place at the table this Thanksgiving. 

Fifth, I am thankful, so incredibly thankful, for my family.  I have a huge family, but I never knew how much some of my family members really love me.  It's amazing that no matter how long I might go without talking to someone or seeing them, they can still just come up to me and hug me and say, "I love you".  Love, no matter what the circumstance, never goes away.  No length of time nor spectre of departure can extinguish the light of love.  And my family has shown me that a hundred times over.  Guys, thanks for all your support and love.  I can't tell you how much I love each and every one of you.  God has blessed me in so many ways, and for those of you who haven't found out that God loves you, you're missing out. =D

Sixth, I am so thankful for all of the "nets" I have in my life.  It continues to amaze me just how many people I have around me that will catch me when I fall.  Some of them I've only talked to for less than three months, some of them I've known for a lifetime, and some of them I've only reconnected with recently.  But without these people I have no clue where I'd be.  So thank you guys for catching me.  I hope someday I can repay you or return the favor.

Seventh, I am thankful for my friends who will stand beside me in good times and bad.  For always being there for me and for loving me no matter how different I may seem at times.  Guys, I love you so much and God couldn't have let better people come into my life.  I will not let you walk out. 

Eighth, I am thankful that I am able to write.  Sometimes I feel like I could explode and writing is a wonderful outlet.  Even if, at times, it might not make any sense or runs in circles or doesn't come out right, the fact that I'm letting things out sometimes can make me feel a lot better. Hopefully I can start writing something again soon.  Poems are the only thing I've been able to muster.

Finally, I am thankful for all of my freedoms and for being in the best country in the world.  I'm free to post and share my feelings with all of you because brave men and women fight for my right to do so.  No matter how much I'll feel I don't deserve any of it, I'm thankful for it. 

Please don't forget what you're thankful for.  And please, take a moment, just a moment, of your day and remember those who gave all for you and those who continue to protect you - even though they might not know you.

Tell me what you're thankful for in the comments or post a link to your blog where you blogged about it!

Happy Thanksgiving.

With eternal love and blessings,

Hanna