I was going to avoid boring everyone with the same drivel that has been written over and over today, but I couldn’t resist.

It’s hard not to think about what you are thankful for on a day earmarked for reflection.

So, here it goes…

I am thankful for my husband.  He stays behind the scenes all the time.  He never looks for the credit in anything we do, yet he is the driving force behind our marriage and our family.  He knows when to make me laugh, and when to hold my hand.  I am not sure how I could have gotten through this year (or the 12 before it) without him.

I am thankful for my daughter.  She reminds me every day what is important in life.  She inspires me to push through adversity, and to keep on going – even when the going gets rough.  We share a lot (maybe more than I would like… darn Cowden’s Syndrome) and I could not ever ask for a kinder, more compassionate, loving daughter.  Even on the days we go head to head – I am the proudest Mom.

I am thankful for my “furry children,” my Allie and Lucky.  Their unceasing loyalty, their love and companionship bring such joy to all of us.  Plus – there is nothing like rubbing a belly on a stressed out day to make you feel better!

I am thankful for my parents, and their “being there.”  Sometimes that’s all you need is for someone to be there.

I am thankful for my siblings… all of them so very different, yet all so incredibly important to me.  I am thankful that even on the days we don’t see eye to eye – our love is strong,

I am thankful for my nephews, and the joy they bring, just by being themselves.

I am thankful beyond words for my grandparents.  Their support through these last 39 years, has been pivotal in my development as a person.  I am certainly a better, wiser, stronger woman – having learned from their example.  I continue to learn from them each day; lessons of love and compassion.  Not many people my age are so fortunate. 

I am thankful for my home – more this year.  I celebrate the fact that we passed through “Superstorm Sandy” virtually unscathed.  I am prayerful for those who have lost so much, and I am trying so hard -to recognize the “small things.”

I am thankful for my friends – near and far.  I am thankful for my local friends, my college friends, my friends from work.  I am thankful for the friends I see often, and the ones I hardly see at all.  I am thankful for my “cyber” friends, that I have “met” through support groups, and this blog.  The joy of knowing you are not alone can never be understated.

I am thankful for my health.  I know that may sound strange, considering the whole premise of this blog is about a genetic disorder that compromises the health of myself and my daughter – but hear me out.  I have this year alone undergone 2 major operations, and recovered.  I survived breast cancer without ever needing treatment.  I am able to walk, to run, to care for my child, to exercise, and move freely about my world.  While I have health concerns, and Meghan and I will always have them – I recognize how much health we do have, and I am thankful.

Finally, and the one thing that brought the biggest smile to my face all day – I am thankful for my daughter’s first piece of pie.

Meghan has always had food allergies – gluten, dairy and soy.  This year we made her a pie by rolling out her cookie dough as the crust.  We filled the middle with coconut milk ice cream, and topped it with her syrup.  She was so excited.  It wasn’t until I cut her a piece and she asked me how she was supposed to eat it, that I realized she had never had pie.  Sometimes the little things – are the big things!

Happy Thanksgiving one and all.