I’ve been learning a lot this past year; my personal lessons of self-knowledge involves pushing through circumstances and not being pushed by them. It’s been a tremendous year of challenges and blessings, for which, I can say that I am thankful and my heart overflows with gratitude.

This month, everyone has been writing daily posts of gratitude, which I have enjoyed reading, but this is my short-list, which I think, covers most everything…for the moment.

I’m thankful for….

1. My son, the gift of motherhood and life after 8 p.m.
2. My car, home and job
3. Wisdom and the opportunity to grow
4. The nursing home that is caring for my mom and their compassion towards my mother (and me)
5. Technology that keeps me connected to all the people I care about and allows me to express myself creatively
6. Restorative time (prayer, meditation, etc.)
7. Connections:
   1. My faith
   2. My family (Biological, Foster, and  Adoptive)
   3. Kinship & friends who act like more like family than friends
   4. Best-friends, folks who love me, even when I’m not lovely
   5. Colleagues, co-workers who go the extra mile
   6. Mentors, who support me and ask the tough questions
   7.