Gratitude Journal

Monday August 20, 2012

My youngest son got married this weekend. It was an amazing 2 days and then some. The day was magical right from the very beginning. Being Ukrainian, many traditions were incorporated into the day. We had a Parental Blessing at my daughter-in-law’s parents home. It was very special and emotional as well. There were live musicians playing ethnic music out on the front lawn adding to the festive mood. Soon, we were off to the church for the ceremony.

The ceremony was quite traditional in a picturesque church filled with icons. It was beautiful…. There is something special about watching your own child standing at the altar exchanging vows with each other in front of family and friends. I had made periwinkle wreaths with my mother, that were placed on their heads instead of crowns. Before we knew it, they were Mr. & Mrs. There were all kinds of opportunities for the taking of pictures…and then we were off to the hall for an evening of celebration and festivities. The meal was beyond words and I can’t imagine any guest not being satisfied.

The speeches were tastefully woven between the courses of the meal. I got up and said mine, although a bundle of nerves. I thanked his father and his wife for everything they had done for my son and daughter-in-law over the years.  wished them all the best in their new life together, as any mother/parent would.

The extra special part for me was my son’s speech. When he thanked me, he said that I was one of the most selfless people he knows and that I always think about others, even before myself. The part that touched me the most was when he said, one of the things that I had taught him, was, “forgiveness.” I can’t even describe how touched I was when he said that. As a parent, is there a more valuable lesson one can teach a child. yes there are, yet this one carries a lifetime through different situations and circumstances. As a mother, I was truly humbled.

Another highlight I am thankful for is the mother-son dance. They had picked a very special song. So, I danced it with my son with enormous amounts of love.

My son also went out of his way, late into the night to make sure he had a dance with his 80 year old grandmother, my mother. TO do this he had to insist that the band come back on stage from their break. It was after 1:30 a.m. and getting too late for her. Watching the two of them dance, brought tears into my eyes. My son is an amazing young man… whom I love. I am so proud of who he has become and very grateful to be his mother.

~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~

November 15, 2010

6:32 a.m.

I have been going through a lot these past few days and although things can seem a bit overwhelming, it doesn’t make me stop thinking about all the things I am thankful for.

This week I am thankful for:

•✿• Strength ~ Without strength, I would not have been willing to come to the decisions that I have this week to start fresh with a positive outlook.

•✿• Acceptance ~ Sometimes, the hardest person you have to be honest with is yourself and this honesty can be hard to accept.  But, when we find that strength to accept this burning honesty, better things come along.

•✿• Understanding ~ I had to back out of a major event for this upcoming weekend and I was really worried about disappointing two people that I care deeply about.  I never imagined that they would be understanding to my situation without a bit of resentment, but not only were they beyond understanding they took a moment out of their hectic deadline to sit and listen.  These are the types of people that true friends are made of.

•✿• Friendship ~ I have found that I have a larger support group than I ever would have imagined in the past 7 years.  It’s amazing to me in so many ways.  I am blessed that I know so many beautiful souls.

•✿• Family ~ As we all know, family is a bond like no other.  I am so blessed to have such a close family that is filled with love.

•✿• Phone Calls ~ It seems so silly, but phone calls I share with those I adore make me feel that much more blessed.

•✿• Beautiful Weather ~ The weather here has been beautiful this week.  It has raised my spirits in so many ways.  It was nice to be able to open the windows again this far into October.

~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~

What are you thankful for this week? (Regardless of when you are reading this.)

What made you smile when you least expected it?

~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~

March 3, 2009

A friend of mine in Ireland recently suggested that we record 7 things we are grateful every day for 21 days, without repeating anything over the 21 days. So today I begin the 21 day journey of gratitude!

Today, I am grateful for:

1. Finishing writing my report cards on time.
2. Working with an awesome student teacher at school.
3. A wonderful administrator who has been doing my outdoor
duties as I get better.
4. My computer so I can do the things I love to do on and through it.
5. My awesome mother!!!
6. The inspiration of my daughter.
7. How incredibly awesome my sons are!!!!



 

 

 

 

 

 

~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~ ~•♥•~

16:26:39

There is a lot to be grateful today as I begin to make entries in this journal.First and foremost I am grateful to God for my many blessings each and every day.

The first one being that I am alive and breathing. With that, I have to thank my father and mother for me being here today! I have an amazing family…my mother; 3 children; my dear sister; a niece, nephews, cousins, aunts, an uncle; sister and brothers-in-law  and I can’t forget the 2 cats: Jojo and Muffy!! They really are a part of the family!

I have been blessed throughout my life’s journey with incredibly special friends…some of whom have come and gone…with a few lasting through the years. Today I am grateful to each of them and how they have enriched my life, offered understanding, love and support.

I am grateful to have a job so that I can support myself. There is enough to support myself, my needs and to help my children when the need arises. I am also blessed to be able to take the courses I am interested in and drawn to take. I understand that God is fully invested in me, assisting me in incredible ways I am not even aware of.

I am also grateful that I am open-minded and am willing to learn and grow. At times this process may not be easy, yet I am grateful for the opportunities that present themselves to help me be a more loving, kind and caring person.

I am grateful for my car, a Hyundai Sonata, that gets me around to where I need to go: school, home, chiropractor, visit family and friends, the doctor, shopping and more. It is comfortable, has a CD player so that I can listen to soft music or audio tapes of books or teleseminars and is good on gas. Oh….I can’t forget to be grateful for the remote starter, especially on cold and blustery days!

I am also grateful for my laptop computer and all the programs that help it run. I can search for information and be creative. I am grateful to my son, Yurij, for fixing it when I get myself into trouble or something goes wrong. My mother is sitting here telling me to add, “which is often!”…as she laughs. I’m also grateful to be learning how to create websites through The WebCreation Workshop with Christina Hills that I am currently taking and this is my project. I’m grateful to Philip Mutrie, Extreme Wealth Potentials, for his help in getting me started last summer, his encouragement, expertise and financial assistance.

Lastly, I am grateful to the spirit within me that keeps moving me forward to fulfill my life purpose, in whatever way that unfolds.