<p>What a great thread. How can so many happy things make me cry?</p>
<p>I’m thankful for my dad, who never met a stranger, and stayed optimistic throughout his 10 month struggle with cancer. He was a national horseshoe champion. When he entered the hospital for the last time, the one concession he made for his illness was that he decided that, upon discharge, to finally take advantage of the “senior” rules for horseshoes that would allow him to stand closer in. I’m thankful that I was able to fly home, and hold his hand when he died.</p>
<p>I’m thankful for my verbal firstborn, who will talk to me about anything, open, honestly and incredibly logically, whether it be school problems, girl problems, or what’s wrong with the world. His observations have led me to discover trivial things, like the effect of economics on politics, or important things, like how very blue the sky gets in the evening. He taught us that we were the very best parents in the world – assuming that the end justifies the means.</p>
<p>I’m thankful for my second son, whom we fully expected to become a millionaire used-car salesman, with his infectious, impish personality. He amazed us by composing his first 5-note song before he could talk, and continues to communicate with music rather than words. He consoled us when he sensed we were sad, by singing to us – Jingle Bells, in May, because “a song might could help you feel better, Mommy.” He brought music into our lives with such passion and intensity, it makes us proud that he can do it, and humbled that we can’t.</p>
<p>I’m thankful that “I finally got a girl.” A girl who has always preferred lizards to lace, and who filled her dollhouse with dinosaurs. A girl who, at 16, is still willing to hug her old mother, and have the tip of her nose kissed. A girl who continues to amaze and delight us with her courage and adaptability, no matter what we throw at her.</p>
<p>I’m thankful for a DH who puts up with me with amazing tolerance and patience, and pretends that it’s nothing. Who has brought me coffee in bed nearly every single morning of the past 24 years. Who has worked his butt off so I can stay home and spend all my time on CC.</p>
<p>I’m thankful for the people in the US who email me, pray for me, and haven’t forgotten me.</p>
<p>I’m thankful for the Germans who are patient with my language skills, and for the English-speaking friends I have here. I’m thankful for the teacher at the Army post I met this week, who has lived in Germany for 15 years, but graduated from my high school in Erie, PA!</p>
<p>I’m thankful for the beautiful Bavarian sunsets, the changing leaves, cobblestone paths, the ability to walk to stores, schools, post office, or downtown, yet live next to a farmer’s field.</p>
<p>And I’m thankful for the reminder to stop and consider all I am thankful for!</p>
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