"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Even now I am filled with gratitude. Here are a few things I am most grateful for (in no particular order).
1. My husband
Two years ago today Tien and I had our first date. Well, I thought it was a job interview. We showed up wearing the same outfit, black pants (leggings for me, luckily not Tien), white t-shirt, and a gray cardigan. We talked for hours and then I managed to trick him into accompanying me to Walmart to buy random items for my students. As I look back at how we reconnected and our relationship developed, I am certain that God put him in my path and that we were supposed to be together. I am forever grateful for that night and the many that have followed. As we march forth on this journey, he has been there to help me pick up the pieces. Some days he is the only thing that keeps the pieces together. I am not quite sure where I would have ended up without this guy by my side. It isn't often that we meet our heroes in life. I was lucky.. I married mine.
2. Collins Grace
As I sit at home on Thanksgiving Eve, I am reminded that this holiday season won't be exactly what I was expecting. At this time last year, I was looking forward to having a little one to share the magic of the holidays with. This year I am left with memories of the short time we were able to spend together. I am forever grateful that I was able to spend 4.5 months holding, cuddling, snuggling and loving on my daughter. I rarely put her down and she slept right beside me. In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that her personality was designed so that I could spend as much time loving on her as possible in her short time on this earth. While I am sad that she will not be here with me this Thanksgiving, I am beyond grateful that God chose me to be her mommy. Thank you sweet girl for making me a mommy. For giving my life purpose. Teaching me a kind of love that only a child can do. For making me love your daddy even more. For reminding me what is important in life. For putting me through a cliff note version of nursing school. For making me laugh and my heart truly smile. For being my everything. My sunshine, I love you all the way up to heaven and back.
3. God
I am grateful that God sacrificed his only Son so that I will be able to spend eternity with my daughter. He has given me the strength, courage and hope to survive this experience. I would never say that losing Collins Grace was a blessing in disguise, but God has given me many blessings during this experience. He has placed so many amazing people in my path that I would not have the privilege of knowing otherwise. My faith in Him has only gotten stronger and I continue to seek a deeper relationship with Him. He continues to guide my journey. I am so very thankful that I have a God that loves me unconditionally despite my shortcomings and allows me the ability to still have hope.
4. Family
Tien and I have the best family. EVER. There is no way on earth we could have navigated this without them. I am so grateful for my parents-they will do anything we ask without question. They have always been a huge support system in my life and I know that I don't say it nearly enough but thank you. I won the parent lottery (even though my 16 year old self might have disagreed). My brother and sister(in-law) for keeping us company in the hospital and just being your amazing selves. My in-laws for making us laugh, keeping us company, and sharing their children with us. I am so blessed to be part of such a close family that has truly accepted me (sans culinary skills). I think I look forward to our nephew weekends more than they do! I will always cherish the memories that I have been able to make with them.
5. Friends..that are pretty much family
To all of our friends who have been there, THANK YOU. Words cannot begin to express my gratitude for all you have done for our family. To all of Tien's friends who scooped me up and carried me, you have given me strength.
6. Franklin
Thank you for making me smile when I thought I might never smile again. You are ornery and FULL OF ENERGY but I would not change one single thing about you.
Even now I am filled with gratitude. Here are a few things I am most grateful for (in no particular order).
1. My husband
Two years ago today Tien and I had our first date. Well, I thought it was a job interview. We showed up wearing the same outfit, black pants (leggings for me, luckily not Tien), white t-shirt, and a gray cardigan. We talked for hours and then I managed to trick him into accompanying me to Walmart to buy random items for my students. As I look back at how we reconnected and our relationship developed, I am certain that God put him in my path and that we were supposed to be together. I am forever grateful for that night and the many that have followed. As we march forth on this journey, he has been there to help me pick up the pieces. Some days he is the only thing that keeps the pieces together. I am not quite sure where I would have ended up without this guy by my side. It isn't often that we meet our heroes in life. I was lucky.. I married mine.
2. Collins Grace
As I sit at home on Thanksgiving Eve, I am reminded that this holiday season won't be exactly what I was expecting. At this time last year, I was looking forward to having a little one to share the magic of the holidays with. This year I am left with memories of the short time we were able to spend together. I am forever grateful that I was able to spend 4.5 months holding, cuddling, snuggling and loving on my daughter. I rarely put her down and she slept right beside me. In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that her personality was designed so that I could spend as much time loving on her as possible in her short time on this earth. While I am sad that she will not be here with me this Thanksgiving, I am beyond grateful that God chose me to be her mommy. Thank you sweet girl for making me a mommy. For giving my life purpose. Teaching me a kind of love that only a child can do. For making me love your daddy even more. For reminding me what is important in life. For putting me through a cliff note version of nursing school. For making me laugh and my heart truly smile. For being my everything. My sunshine, I love you all the way up to heaven and back.
3. God
I am grateful that God sacrificed his only Son so that I will be able to spend eternity with my daughter. He has given me the strength, courage and hope to survive this experience. I would never say that losing Collins Grace was a blessing in disguise, but God has given me many blessings during this experience. He has placed so many amazing people in my path that I would not have the privilege of knowing otherwise. My faith in Him has only gotten stronger and I continue to seek a deeper relationship with Him. He continues to guide my journey. I am so very thankful that I have a God that loves me unconditionally despite my shortcomings and allows me the ability to still have hope.
4. Family
Tien and I have the best family. EVER. There is no way on earth we could have navigated this without them. I am so grateful for my parents-they will do anything we ask without question. They have always been a huge support system in my life and I know that I don't say it nearly enough but thank you. I won the parent lottery (even though my 16 year old self might have disagreed). My brother and sister(in-law) for keeping us company in the hospital and just being your amazing selves. My in-laws for making us laugh, keeping us company, and sharing their children with us. I am so blessed to be part of such a close family that has truly accepted me (sans culinary skills). I think I look forward to our nephew weekends more than they do! I will always cherish the memories that I have been able to make with them.
5. Friends..that are pretty much family
To all of our friends who have been there, THANK YOU. Words cannot begin to express my gratitude for all you have done for our family. To all of Tien's friends who scooped me up and carried me, you have given me strength.
6. Franklin
Thank you for making me smile when I thought I might never smile again. You are ornery and FULL OF ENERGY but I would not change one single thing about you.
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