Embracing My Journey ~ Living with passion & purpose!

Today is just one of the 365 days of the year to be thankful for the blessings in life. Take a moment to reach out to those around you who may or may not be aware of how grateful you are to have them in your lives. I am personally thankful for so many people who have blessed my life:

My parents: who gave me life.

My husband: who has stood by me during all of the ups and downs that have allowed me to create the beautiful life I live today.

My in-laws: who have taught me that families are made up of a variety of people.

My daughter: who I love with all my soul,  she continues to teach me something new every day.

My mentor: she knows who she is and I am so very grateful that on that fateful day all those years ago we were brought together as I have learned so much from the lessons she has shared.

My dear friend D: an amazing lady who has showed me by her example that there is life after abuse, that people are entitled to live a life full of peace and joy.

My abusers: Yes, you read that correctly, the two men who choose to physically, sexually and emotionally abuse me for years as I let them do so. It wasn’t until they pushed to me to a point where I knew I had hit rock bottom that I found the courage to ask for help, to accept the rope that someone was throwing me to pull me from the dark abyss I had landed in. It was only after living in the darkness and hopelessness that I learned how to ask for what I wanted and needed…. it was that part of my life that gave me the strength to move forward, step by step, into the amazing life I live now.

My eating disorders: If I had not lived with anorexia and bulimia for a decade long ago, I would never have learned how beautiful a gift it truly is to nourish the body, mind and soul.  I am thankful that each day I can fuel myself with delicious foods, feel my body become energized and have the ability to live life to the fullest.

My readers: I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for reading my words and allowing me to inspire you day after day.

My friends: that you all for your support as I journey through this amazing life, you are there when I call….the circle of our friendship I am truly grateful for.

My colleagues: I thank you for sharing your guidance and support as we travel the road of the written word together, pushing me to strive to for more and making me stronger with feedback and encouragement.  I thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences through the written word in the variety of places you provide: newspapers, books, The Communities at the Washington Times, blog sites across the internet to name a few and of course in person.   I am grateful for the ability you offer me to share my gifts.

I am thankful for the blessings that surround me as I open my eyes to begin each day and as I close them at night to rest and rejuvenate for the day to come.

It has been almost a year since my father has passed and this is the first Thanksgiving I will experience without him physically present to share in my joy.  I know in my heart that he’s here with me….as a spiritual presence enjoying the blessings I have received and smiling over me.  Even though I take comfort in knowing this, there is nothing I wouldn’t give to have just one more Thanksgiving with my father here to share in our blessings.  As you never know what tomorrow may bring, I encourage everyone who reads this to share what they are thankful for both here as a comment and by calling, emailing or writing to others. Life is truly a gift, open yours and enjoy!

In gratitude,
Caryn

http://www.CarynFitzgerald.com

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 11:19 am and is filed under Caryn's writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.