In Gratitude

This was supposed to be written and published before Thanksgiving Day. I, true to form, am running behind. In light of the season, however, I think that this is appropriate now as well.

My Dear Family and Friends-

The one thing I am most grateful for is the gospel of Jesus Christ. My faith in our Saviour has been my one sure place in the turmoil that seems to surround my life. I am grateful for Him, for His love and sacrifice, for the peace and strength I receive through Him.

I am grateful for the blessed nation in which I live. I am thankful for the sacrifices off all those who have come before, who have worked to make our country strong. I am grateful for all those who serve today, or who have served in the past, as members of our armed forces. I am thankful for those who work today to keep our nation free, and protect the liberties which are being silently stolen from us.

I am grateful for my family. They have made me who I am. I have three of the most wonderful children in the whole world (no bias here ;-). Through them I have learned the meaning of unconditional love. Although motherhood is undeniably the most frustrating thing I have ever attempted (and if I am bald by thirty, we will all know why), it also brings me joy and happiness everyday. I have a patient, funny, generous husband, who honors his priesthood, and supports our family so that I can be a full-time mother to our children. I am grateful to my father who taught me algebra and theoretical physics at the breakfast table; who taught me to take a double fistful of dreams and hang on for dear life, because the only way you are guaranteed to fail is to not try. I am grateful for my mother who taught me that if you aren't confident in who you are, no one else will be confident in you; and who taught me that if it truly matters to you, you will find a way to make it happen.

I am thankful for true friendship. I am blessed beyond measure in the friendships I have made over the years. I am grateful to those who have been there for me in the darkest times in my life, and for those who have let me serve them as well. I am grateful for letters, telephones, emails, and even (dare I say it) facebook, which have all allowed me to maintain these friendships despite my vagabond lifestyle. I am grateful for kindred spirits, who understand what I mean, even when it doesn't quite come out right, and who appreciate (or at least overlook) my strong opinions.

I am thankful for my life. Not a day goes by that I don't remember the nurses holding up the tiny bundle of my daughter so I could see her once before I was rushed to the OR, wondering if I would ever have the chance to hold her. Even now, two years later, every day seems like a precious gift, all the wonderful experiences I get to enjoy.

I am thankful that a year ago when a starving little waif of a kitten showed up on my doorstep, I softened my heart and let her live with us, despite having proclaimed a ban on new pets three months prior. Francesca (Frankie) is the sweetest, most loving cat I have ever met, and aside from a penchant for sleeping on clean black clothing and fishing eggshells out of the trashcan, she is pretty much a perfect pet.

I am grateful for a warm house and bed to sleep in, clean clothes to wear, clean water to drink, and good food to eat. Even these simple things are so much more than many in the world have, and I have so much.

There are so many more things that I could list here, like literature, and music, and art, and the smell of freshly cut grass, or the sound of windchimes, or that moment when the snow first starts to fall, and you can dance with the snowflakes, before your body reminds you that it is cold and you are not wearing a coat. Those and many, many, many more things, more than I could realistically ever write. So I will keep them in my heart, and speak them in my prayers, and be grateful.

With Love and Thanksgiving,

Leisl