Happy Thanksgiving! (Gratitude Post)

Today, I'm thankful for the animals that have been a part of my life over the years. Whether their time with me was short or long, they put a daily smile on my face.

I'm thankful for my husband of almost fourteen years. Love isn't hard to find, but it's a rare and special someone who you can live with happily, year after year.

I'm thankful to have a good job with benefits, where I'm not harassed or taken advantage of. I'm allowed opportunities to grow and learn new things. My efforts are recognized. I'm never belittled for not knowing something, and it's okay to not be perfect.

I'm thankful for the good luck that has enabled me to stay strong and healthy. Not everyone gets lucky genes or the good fortune to escape major illness or debilitating injury. I'm diligent in my workouts, but without luck on my side, none of this would be possible.

I'm thankful that my parents modeled healthy behaviors when I was growing up. Balanced, home-cooked meals. Limited snacks. I wasn't allowed to spend all day indoors; I had to get outside and be active! My father was an evening jogger and rarely missed a workout. I grew up never doubting I could incorporate healthy diet and exercise into an adult life.

I'm thankful for my maternal relatives in New England. I'm a fish out of water in my family of origin, but my family up north always understood me. Without them, I might've despaired altogether. Those summers on Cape Cod were pretty darn special, too. Just how special is something I had to grow up to fully appreciate.

Most of all, I'm thankful for my friends, including those of you I only know via the internet. You can end up in forced proximity with some pretty odd birds for no other reason than that they're blood kin, but you folks are my family of choice. We're part of each others' lives because we want to be, not because we have to be. In my book, that's pretty darn special.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Come back later for some turkey and pie Cadbury pics!