Giving Thanks

Yes, I know I'm late again with this, but was on my heart and something I fully intended to do. Early, on-time, or late ~ it's never too late to say "Thanks!".

I am sincerely thankful for my life. Like everyone, it's had some bumps (some ditches), but what a ride! I am thankful for my wonderful daddy. Through everything, my daddy was there. I am, and will always be a daddy's girl. I am thankful for the best aunt and uncle God could have provided.  Talk about rock steady! Truely a second set of parents (for all the good and bad that brought growing up ~ LOL!) I'm thankful for Granny, Mamie and the aunts for having raised me. Oh, the memories I have of Granny's summer trips to Holiday Beach and Jekyll, and Friday night sleep-overs with the Burger Box or Hen House suppers. Mamie and her yard work (manure in the trunk of her car and all), and her nightly oranges, and yes, she'd share. Tootsie peeking around the car house to see if we'd made it home, or on her hands and knees picking up pecans with me to make me some extra spending money. Aunt Gussie's cakes... 'nuff said there. Oh, especially the lemon ~ sigh ~. And Taneen. Well, I guess the outstanding memory there is her and Tootsie squabling like teenagers. LOL! As the World Turns and Guiding Light EVERY weekday, and Lawrence Welk every Saturday night.

Then there's the cousins. Tonya and Emily were more sisters than cousin. Still are, even though none of us have as much time together as we'd like. Oh, the things we got into ~ The instigator (me), the aggitator (Tonya) and the piss ant (Emily). Papa says me and Tonya could talk Emily into almost anything. LOL! Sorry about that, Pooh! But, oh the memories we have... every summer weekend at the coast, lots of summer afternoons at the San-Su pool (that's where I became Frog), then later at Ms Esteen's Cherio with Tara and Dina (that's where I swallowed the quarter).

And along came some brothers. God gives you what you need, by whatever means necessary. We'd been through a rough patch, when this light came into our lives. The world calls them step-brothers because their mother married my daddy. That's just a technicality. They are my brothers, to the bone. And I am thankful for both of them every day (and their families they've brought in, too).

Then the most wonderful thing happened ~ I married my best friend! I guess I am most thankful for Wayne, and of course, he gave me my girlies. I keep telling the girls that what we have is very unusual. Hoping they won't jump out and start early like we did... We were high school sweethearts. I had been out of high school a grand total of 6 weeks when we got married (FOOLS). I don't know how we've made it, except for a tremendous love for each other, and dedication to our family. Most young couples, it seems, mature and grow apart. Somehow, we've managed to stay in love, and still have our hopes and dreams heading along the same paths. We are so very lucky, and I never take that for granted. Oh, and my girles. That was a surprise... we were talking about maybe getting a dog or something. Low and behold, God had a different plan. And then he doubled it! LOL! What an adventure! Wouldn't take a minute back, and wish I could go back and do it all again...

Last, but not least, on my Thanksgiving list... friends. Not that I don't count my family as my absolute very bestest friends, all of them. But, I have been blessed with some great friends, however time and daily life may have lessened our time with each other. I know, still, all I have to do is pick up the phone, and it's like we've never been apart. From way back  to high school, and now as adults. There are WAY too many to start naming names (I'd leave somebody out by mistake for sure), But I am thankful for each and every one of you, and what you mean to my life.

So. I guess what I've learned through this rambling blog, is that not only am I thankful. I am blessed!