My Gratitude List

I'm finally taking time to make a list of things I'm grateful for this week as I pack for the last of my speaking engagements until January 23rd. I'm taking some time off to re-evaluate my life and to allow for me to be available to see my granddaughter enter the world. I am hoping to take some time away from work (I haven't actually taken a whole week away from my email for over 7 years) and to spend some time organizing and thinking about how I want 2010 to go. I even have a person planned to help me sort through my complex world.

But now I need to focus on my organized gratitude list...

This year I'm grateful:

» for Kyle's girlfriend, Christy, who is very supportive of him and who we love and are happy to have joining our family;
» that Kyle is employed, financially independent, contributing to society, a college graduate, and has a bright future ahead;
» that Rand has a driver's license and that he is almost always willing and cooperative when I ask him to transport his siblings;
» that Mike seems to have found a place for him that is chemical free (we think) and law-abiding where he is able to make a way, even if it is not here with us, and that he is in school;
» that John is in school and is keeping the terms of his probation;
» that Jimmy consistently makes us laugh, that he has found a good friend this year for the first time, and that he generally is compliant and helpful;
» that Salinda's pregnancy is going well, that we love her boyfriend and his family, that their relationship seems to be more stable all the time, and that our relationship with her has improved 1000% in the past 12 months;
» that Ricardo is compliant, fun, generally happy, involved in sports, and not failing any classes;
» that Mercedes is bonded to us and that when she gets off track we can guide her back because she listens to us;
» that Tony is better than he has been in the past
» that Leon made the B honor roll, that he loves his parents, is compliant and happy most of the time;
» that Dominyk is surviving 7th grade and is still able to live at home, in spite of his issues;
» that Wilson is adorable, compliant, smart and fun and brings joy to our days;
» for my parents who are beyond amazing people, have given me the best start to life a person could ask for, and that they are still healthy enough at their age to be able to live independently, among their friends, where they want to be;
» for my friends, new and old, who have made me who I am today. Some of them have branded themselves to my soul and because of them, I will never be the same.
» finally, for my husband. We have not chosen an easy road, but he is a man of his word, full of character, funny, articulate, super intelligent, loyal, honest, and admirable. He certainly undermarried, but I"m cool with that.

When I reflect on our lives and see our kids turning into adults one by one (Jimmy will be 18 in a few days) I realize that we have pushed our way through some difficult times, not always making good decisions or doing the right thing, but continuing to get up one day after the next, and put one foot in front of the other. and keep loving the kids, regardless of their choices.

And it is my hope that one day we will look at all of them and be able to say that they are the best people that the can be given their beginnings, their issues, and their backgrounds. And I hope that maybe at least of few of them will say thank you.