Counting my Blessings

I have too many blessings to count, but here are a few of my top ones:

• The Boys
• Jill, Loni, Mina  
• My brother
• My aunts and uncle, nephews, cousins
• All the wonderful people I have in my life that care about me and love me, Jenn, Gina, Jason, Bryan, John, John,Tim, Darrell, Lilo, TOPS Pals, and so many more
• My health
• My family's health
• Job that I enjoy
• A beautiful piece of property with a warm (thanks to Loni) and dry home
• A savings account to take care of emergencies (like car repairs)
• Wonderful books to read
• Beautiful art 
• That any problems I have I brought on myself
• And so many, many more things, I couldn't begin to count them all

Yes, I have more blessings than I deserve even though I miss Raymond so much I can't put it into words. 

This Thanksgiving also comes with sorrow in my heart from knowing that a classmate's wife is about to go through the same thing I am as he enters his final stages of battling cancer.  I hope for all their sakes it is a peaceful passing.  We were not friends, or really even acquaintances in school, but I still remember him and his smile as he walked through the halls, and no one should have to lose their life to cancer.

I am praying for:

• My friend Lilo as she is experiencing the holiday without her beloved husband who passed away a couple of weeks ago 
• Soldiers battling and their loved ones who spend every day with their heart in their throats
• Dedra and her family as they sort through the rumble of their house that burned this week
• My youngest and the stress he is under
• Alle and the biopsy she is facing
• The families of Alzheimer's patients as they search for just a glimmer of recognition from their loved ones each day
• My friend that is battling depression, and all that goes with that battle ... I love you
• All those that are suffering for any reason
• Peace

I wish everyone was as fortunate as I am and had so many blessings.  I pray for that daily.