Sunday, November 20, 2011

Five Special Gifts

I know, right, another blog about Thanksgiving and all it’s trimmings. Well, not exactly. I want to introduce you to five beautiful women that, yes, I am thankful to say I know. I want you to meet them because of something they are doing, something that inspired me and should inspire us all. But before I go further, let me make the proper introductions:  

Tory Rummel, Kim Wiederhold, Christine Wolfer, Krystle Gauche, Patty Luschek

Starting November 1st, they began posting on facebook what they are thankful for. Their goal - post something everyday for thirty days. I was intrigued and impressed. I didn’t participate, but I watched, smiled and clicked ‘like’ on many occasions, and nodded my head in agreement and understanding. Their posts ranged from the simple things they felt blessed by to the world around them. They gave tribute to their country, their friends, their family and their beliefs.

They didn’t do this for attention or for gain. They didn’t know that I would ask permission to write about them and share their blessings. I didn’t even ask them why they felt compelled to do it. All I had to do was look at their posts each day to know the reasons why.

We get caught up in all the bad around us and in the world that sometimes - often times - we forget to be thankful, to pay attention to the good in our lives. In the good we can do in the lives of others.

Obviously, I can’t include every single post they've each made, so below you'll get only a sampling. As you read, keep in mind that these women don’t have perfect lives. They face the same world we all face, they all work outside the home, they are raising or have raised children, they’ve loved and have had their hearts broken, they’ve been touched by cancer or other illnesses in their lives or the lives of loved ones, and they have all experienced loss. They are who we are, who we can be, what we should strive to be - real women, strong women, beautiful women - who choose to focus on the good in their lives.

Patty - I am so thankful for my wonderful parents and the love they gave me. With their love and support I am who I am and am so thankful. :-). Love ya Mommy and Daddy!!!!!

Christine - I am thankful for my Sisters...they know just what I need at all times!! I don't know what I would do without them!!

Krystle - I am thankful that in this recession I am able to have a job to help support my family.

Tory - Today and everyday I am thankful that I married my best friend 7 years ago. He graciously accepts my constant opinions, doesn't complain that I hate to cook, supports me through everything, and is the best daddy Cara could ever ask for. Love you babe!

Kim - I am thankful for the smell of fall harvest!

Christine - I am thankful/blessed to have a beautiful, happy and healthy baby girl!! She is 15 months old today. I love watching her personality get bigger everyday!! She makes my world a much better place!!

Krystle - I am thankful for the farmers who go out in the spring to plant and go out in the fall to harvest those crops that help feed the world.

Patty - I am thankful for the roof over my head. It may not be a show home but it is ours and provides us shelter, and warmth. There are so many that are not as blessed.

Tory - Thankful every minute of every day for my mother. I'm almost 30 and her supporting nature never fails me. Truly an angel here on earth. She continues to amaze me with her love and ability to care for others. I pray I am half the mom she is.

Kim - I am thankful and truly blessed to work with so many amazing people

Krystle - I am thankful for my little sister who I may have beat up a time or two, argued with, cried with and laughed with.

Christine - I am thankful for all of my Grandparents!! All of my Grandma's are now my angels in Heaven and so is my Papa Howard!! But those in Heaven and on earth mean so much to me!!

Tory - thankful for laughter and the people that make me laugh. That's what gets me through the days most often.

Patty - today I am thankful for the wonderful time over the weekend. Good company and Good entertainment.

Kim- I am thankful for my baby sister, Patty Wolfer Luschek. She may not realize it, but, I value her opinion and treasure every moment we share.

Tory - Today I am thankful for answered prayers, the grace of God, and being raised a strong Catholic.

Christine - I am so very thankful for my amazing Mom! She has never failed me and she showed me what being a Mom is truly about. She also taught me how to work hard and be a strong woman!

Patty - Today I am thankful for my faith in God and the Love and Blessings he has granted to my family and me.

Krystle - I am thankful for my wonderful neighbors. They watch over our place like a hawk whether we are home or not, as we do for them too.

Kim - I am thankful to live in a country that gives its people a voice. Vote!

Tory - I am thankful for my best friend in the whole wide world, Maggie Schoellman Crawford! Since 3rd grade, she has been my sister from another uterus!

Christine - I am thankful for my Daddy! He taught me what loving selflessly means! His love has shown me what kind of love I deserve as a woman!

Krystle - I am thankful that God blessed me as a mother. So many people don't get the chance to experience the joy of motherhood. Even though I felt the heartache of losing one and feel very blessed to have 2 healthy and happy boys and 1 angel above.

Patty - On this day, the only thing on my mind is how thankful I am for all the brave men and woman that have and are serving our county. I am very blessed that many of my friends and family have served and have come home safe. Thank you and God Bless you all!

Kim - I am thankful for growing up and staying in the country. Where values and beliefs are strong and opinions are honored. We don't have to always agree, and I will fight for your right to disagree with me.

Tory - I am so thankful for my cousins. Each and every one if them. Its true cousins are your first childhood friends and the ones you can always count on!

Krystle - I am thankful for one of my best friends Ashley Attinger. She is a strong person, a firecracker and doesn't tolerate crap from anyone.

Kim - I am thankful for food on our table, coffee in my cup, gas in my car and faith in my heart. All those things keep me going!

Christine - I am thankful today is Friday!! It means I get two days to do whatever I want. I choose to spend them with my girl...can't wait!!! ;-)

Patty - Today I am thankful for the sun in the sky there is nothing like a beautiful morning with a little sunshine.

I want to thank these wonderful women for letting me share bits and pieces of their story. In honor of them, I am giving away five e-books to five lucky commentors: Undercover, All Bets Are On, Buried In Briny Bay, Love's Long Shadow and Two Brothers. I hope you will take a moment to share with us what you are thankful for. Drawing will be Friday, Nov. 25th.

To the right of the screen, you can view the five e-books that will be given away. I would like to thank authors Bobbye Terry and Ciara Knight for graciously donating a copy of their books. Click on their covers to see more detail or to purchase the book. See below for other books by these authors:

By Bobbye Terry: THE MARRIAGE MURDERS, BURIED IN BRINY BAYCOMING TO CLIMAX. Sequel, NICK OF TIME, By Daryn Cross, WALK RIGHT IN, L&L Dreamspell
Visit Bobbye at: http://bobbyeterry.blogspot.com/

By Ciara Knight: Love's Long Shadow. Visit Ciara at: http://www.ciaraknight.com/