Thanksgiving 2012

I have honestly enjoyed the gratitude posts I have been reading on facebook.  I love the ideas of gratitude sharing on some of the morning shows I have landed on while getting ready for the day.  The idea of gratitude, and sharing it with someone makes me melt inside with the warm and tender feeling of the season this fall. 
It warms my heart to see the children in school write what they are thankful for on paper leaves that are all brought together on a tree.  As they read each one, they gain an understanding of the differences in us all.  One may be grateful for their parents, while another excited for their Dad to be coming home from deployment.  Chances are someone else could simply put, but happy to have crayons! 
This year, I am grateful for my family.  As our children grow older, their ideas for what they see in the future changes with them...sometimes, they know forever what they want to be when they grow up.  Other times, it can go from one thing to something else for years.  It is good for me to see them go through each phase of life.  Sometimes, more difficult.  As they do so, it reminds me, it is their time to grow, and learn, and become strong.  It is my time to be there for when they need me, be supportive, be strong. I am grateful for my husband and his patience with me as my "seasons" change :0) He does so much for our family and I am sure he doesn't have a clue at just how much his family appreciates and loves him. The list could go on - my parents: who are awesome, our siblings: who are amazing, our friends: who are fantastic!
I hope as each new day presents itself to all of us, we can find the beauty in it. The changes of the season in "the world", and the changes of the season in "our own world" are a blessing to us.  I am going to feed off the gratitude I see in others, and remind myself to fill my own gratitude bucket.  
I realize this may be early - Halloween is just around the corner...I guess I am excited for Thanksgiving this year!