What I’m Thankful For This Year

Of course everyone’s thankful list is filled with family, friends, support, blah blah blah ya know. The usual.

But I’m thankful for ME!

You’re probably thinking wow. Such a ‘humble’ thing to say 😉

Haha but what I mean is I’m really thankful to be feeling almost back to normal (mindset wise). Earlier in the year I wasn’t the most pleasant person to be around and it caused riffs in my relationships. With the help of an amazing support team I am feeling back to myself and have been patching those relationships.

Thankful for my Grandma
Thankful for my Grandma

I’m thankful for my amazing support team who has helped carry me through this horrendous year. I can say in complete honesty this year has been the absolute worst year of my life. Without my Mom and Dad, Sister and Brother, my Grandma, Boyfriend and his Parents and the rest of my family and friends I’m not sure I could have made it through this year. I’m so thankful that they stuck by my side at my worst and are still as supportive as I’m feeling better. I know that I never want to go back to how I was and I know that they all understand that chronic pain, meds, depression and medical problem after medical problem can really take a toll on a person. I love each and every one of you 🙂

IMG_6489This Thanksgiving will definitely be different then in years past. Now that I’ve adopted an anti-inflammatory lifestyle I won’t be enjoying the regular mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy and fixings. I’ll be starting new traditions with gluten free stuffing, gravy and sweet potatoes! I just finished baking my first gluten free, vegan, refined sugar free pumpkin pie! It. Turned. Out. Perfect! I’m really excited about it!

I’m especially thankful for all my spoonies and the support I’ve found online. My twitter family, my Facebook support groups- you have been a surprise blessing that I never imagined.

IMG_7315My support group that I attend in person every week has been another surprise blessing. Yesterday Gale, one of the ladies in the group, said she looked at it as the girls getting together every week! And that’s exactly how I see it too! There are on average 6 of us that meet each week. All from different walks of life, all with different burdens, all with beautiful attitudes determined to make positive situations out of our negative hurdles.

This year has been difficult, but also beautiful at the same time. It’s opened my eyes to really appreciate the smaller things in life. Before I was always go-go-go and my slower paced lifestyle has really grown on me. I’m thankful for getting back into hobbies that I enjoy sooooo much- such as my card making and singing- and I’m thankful for my ability to do them.

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I’m thankful for doctors who are willing to go out of their way and take on my difficult case. I’m thankful for the medicines, prescribed and natural, that are helping heal my body. I’m thankful for the invention of crutches so I am able to get around and even more thankful for the addition of motorized scooters in stores! Haha I’m thankful to be able to have great insurance and to be eligible for disability.

There are so many things I’m thankful for I could go on forever.

 

I really hope that you have an amazing Thanksgiving this year. Cherish anytime you are able to spend with your friends and family. Take time to enjoy the smaller things of life 🙂

Want to read more about Thanksgiving? Check out my 2014 Thanksgiving post. 

Wishing you a thankful and pain free day!

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