Dates are important to all of us. In our family, we mark birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and so many more. Today, I mark the one week anniversary of the procedure that took out the bad stuff and is giving me the opportunity to move forward. I am so grateful for so much.

I am grateful God believes I am worth saving.

I am grateful for my husband, his calm, his sense of responsibility, his commitment to caring for me. I am grateful that we share so many values. I am grateful that he is the father of my children, the priest in our home. I am grateful that he is smart and capable, patient and kind. I am grateful that he knows how to be a man and that he teaches our boys daily, not just by words but by example. I am grateful that he is, and has always been in this for the long haul. I am grateful that he is strong, I am grateful that he is an example to so many. I am grateful that he is a kid at heart and can and do play as hard as he works:)

I am grateful for my children, my strong-willed Benjamin who has been keeping me on my toes for 11 years and counting. The guy with the heart of gold who insisted on giving his $100 birthday money to a classmate who lost her house to fire a couple years ago. I am grateful that he is intelligent, funny, a really good teacher and has a special place in his heart for young children and the elderly.

I am grateful for my Jacob, my smart, kind, deep thinker who will not let it go until he is clear. I am grateful that he eats well (answer to prayer), and that he finds joy in understanding God and his place in this world.

I am grateful for all my siblings. They are so different and bring so much to the table. They have helped me shape who I am today.

I am grateful for my nieces and nephews, what they have accomplished and what they soon will accomplish, as well as what they will figure out in coming years.

I am grateful for my work family, WGES, my church family and my friends.

Thanks for walking this journey with me.

Blessings!