Gratitude

Thanksgiving is this coming Thursday. We've been talking a lot being grateful lately and I've been thinking about all of the wonderful blessings in my life.
Things have not been easy for the past little while. We seem to have a little roller coaster going on, but I realized that I learn gratitude when I have to go without. I am grateful for canned food. It's cheap and filling. It might not have the best nutritional content, but I can make a meal of it that has a showing from most of the major food groups. :) I also appreciate fresh foods so much more after a stint on food storage.
I am grateful for my husband. We're not perfect but we suit each other. We can make each other laugh and we can cry together too. It's nice not to be alone.
I am grateful for animals. They always seem to know when we need them. Even strangers' pets can tell when you need an extra cuddle from them. I firmly believe God gave us animals in our lives to give companionship and love. (I wish we could have one in our apartment!)
I am grateful to good neighbors. They're mostly quiet but are willing to stop and chat for a bit when we all have time. They don't ignore us. In fact they smile when they see us. It's good to feel welcome.
I am grateful for my family. I have very kind and generous parents. They talk with us and they also know to let us struggle along as long as we can manage by ourselves. They also know when to tell us we're being dumb and they're going to help us whether we want it or not. :) They also feed us. It's been nice to have food that is different from what we've been eating...which I'm still grateful for.
There's also camaraderie to be had with our siblings. We can go to their homes and play games. We can talk. We can ask them for advice without being judged for it. I appreciate it.
I'm grateful when my husband gets a job offer. It's a relief knowing I wont have to be the sole provider. That has been quite stressful. I am grateful that my husband, though discouraged, never gave up looking for a job. It's not fun filling out applications with little result. (He just got a job last night and starts Monday btw. We're excited!)
I'm grateful for my religion. It makes sense. It brings me peace, joy, and hope. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to share it with others in France and Switzerland five years ago. I am grateful that I learned a beautiful language in doing so and made many wonderful friends along the way. I hope I never forget them.
I am grateful for all my blessings. And I know I should be grateful for the trials I have too, but I'm not perfect and I really don't care for them, even if I know I grow from them. ;)
Life is Wonderful.

Happy Thanksgiving!