Hmmmmmm. Angie Heuberger-Fennell challenged me to this gratitude experience deal. Thanks, Schmoopie, because it's always nice to remind yourself how beautiful and bountiful your life really is! I relish the opportunity and the "challenge" to share the things in my life for which I am most grateful.....
A) My mother and my father. Hands down, most supportive, most loving, most "be there for anything you could possibly need" kind of parents. They made me feel empowered, made me feel cherished, made me feel worthy, gave me ( and appreciated and encouraged) a voice, taught me to debate :), helped me be independent, taught me compassion and kindness......I only wish every kid in the world could have my experience...the world would be a better place, I'm sure. JoAnna Sawyer and Rick Sawyer.
B) My beautiful, funny, considerate, kind, empathetic, sweet, loving, athletic, handsome, smart aleck son, Coleman Harris. I'm one of those really dorky moms who is continually amazed that I produced such an amazing specimen! I feel like we are a team. I "broke" him early on so that he wouldn't be embarrassed by me yelling, "Mama loves you" on the sidelines.....kid barely bats an eye. I hope I have given him the kind of unadulterated, never ending feeling of being appreciated and cherished that I experienced with my parents. He is the kind of kid who will sit down with me when I'm feeling nostalgic and go through his baby book with me.....'nuff said.
C) My employer, my career, my job, the work I get to do every day. I knew from a pretty early age what I wanted to do for a living. I wanted to be a part of the labor movement and to advocate for working people. I learned early on that there was honor in all work, knew how my family had benefited from unions, and wanted to contribute to the respect that working people deserved. I cannot tell you how many times in my adult life I have voiced my thankfulness out loud that I have a job I love that provides tremendous security to my family. I feel like I'm on the "right" side and it makes my heart feel good. My employer is phenomenal. My bosses have always treated me with kindness and respect. There are times it is hard, time-consuming and stressful but the flexibility and family-friendly environment has always trumped the tough stuff.
Phew! Day One done. Check!