Some of you know I’ve been under the weather this past week (a mild understatement, I’ve felt like crap). I’m still coughing, achy, and lethargic, but I am feeling better than I did this time last week.  For that I am thankful.  Which brings me to my topic: Giving Thanks.

All month long folks on fb have been listing factoids about themselves that most of those who know them wouldn’t know.  Others have been posting a daily homage to what they are thankful for.  I haven’t done that simply because being the utterly unorganized person that I am with the attention span of a gnat, I’d start off like a lioness and oh about three or four days in, something shiny would catch my attention and off I’d go to snatch it…so, you can see why I avoid such things.

However, next week as we all know is Thanksgiving, Happy Thanksgiving! and well, I have a lot to be thankful for.  All four of my children, their spouses and significant others as well as all three of my grandchildren will be home.  Here, in my house.  I can’t wait.  And while my writing career has hit a rough spot, and hubby has been out since June due to extensive shoulder and arm surgery, I can’t remember a time where I have felt more content.  I sit back as the hustle and bustle of my family energizes the air around and me and just simply smile.  I am grateful.  I am thankful and I am blessed.

So, because I know you all are dying to know the top five things in my life that I am the most grateful for, I thought I’d tell you.

Numero Uno: My husband.  I’m not sure what the Lord had in mind when he sent him my way, but I thank him every day.  My husband is far from a saint, but that man loves me more today than the day he swept me off my feet more than thirty years ago and refused to put me down until I said, “I do.”

Numero Dos: My children.  The Lord’s payback for the roller coaster ride my husband has had to endure being married to me.

Numero Tres: My grandchildren.  Actually they are right up there with the hubster.  They break my heart with their sweet innocence. My heart is full. That is all.

Numero Cuatro: My friends. I’ve always said, one can measure their worth by their true friends.  I am a catrillionairess.  J

Numero Cinco:  My health, and my family’s health.  Yeah, I need to go on a diet, but I’m healthy, so is the hubster, the kids and g-kids. I’m working on getting back into shape, and once I can run a few miles without dying?  I’m going to start training for a few half marathons, then who knows? I might have a marathon or two in this body after all.

I realize I am lucky. I also realize as I recited the night time prayer, now I lay me down to sleep with my granddaughter in my arms as I rocked her to sleep last night that life is the most precious gift we’re given, and I’m going to live each day from here on out as if it were my last. Because if I should die before I wake, I do want the Lord to take my soul, but I want to go with him knowing that I gave this life here on earth my best shot.

So my friends, what are your top five? 

About Karin Tabke

National Best selling author of romantic contemporary fiction.