A Month of Gratitude: Day 11

Today is Veterans Day. I am grateful for people who have served in the military and for those who are currently serving.

My dad was in the Air Force long before I was born so I have no idea what it's like to grow up in a military family. But I have friends and extended family who do. I remember hearing about my cousins who lived in Germany. They probably weren't there all that long but it seemed like I never saw them until they were grown up. I have friends who spend long months away from their spouses and children in service to our county. I know plenty of people who have made big sacrifices to be in the Army and Air Force -- or to be married to people serving. I am grateful for them because I don't know if I could make the same sacrifices they do. And until the people of the world can figure out how to get along and stop blowing each other up, some of us will have to make sacrifices and fight for our country.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 10

I am grateful to have had the mom I had. I miss her constantly and wish she could have met Milo. I wish Milo could have known her the way my nieces and nephews did. Still, I'm grateful for the time I had with her. I am grateful for the things she taught me about being a mom. I am grateful for the things I learned just from knowing her and watching her. I am grateful for the how she raised my brothers and me -- the values she instilled in us. I am grateful I had her as a role model for the kind of mom I want to be.

Mom and the S.O. on my 40-something birthday

A Month of Gratitude: Day 9

I am grateful for people who work in retail who go above and beyond the call of duty in the name of customer service.

Today, Milo kicked off a shoe in Costco. Of course we didn't notice until we'd walked a ways. We looked all over for the shoe (this would be the second shoe we lost at Costco in the past two months) to no avail. I stopped a random employee and asked where to go about a lost shoe. She pointed me to membership services, noting it probably wouldn't be there yet.

I would have been so sad to lose these.

We set about finishing our shopping, without much hope of finding our lost shoe. Just as we were about to check out. The employee who had pointed me to membership services chased us down with Milo's shoe in her hand. I had to give her a hug. It didn't take much for her to find the shoe, but it sure meant a lot to us. Maybe she sees it as her job. I see it as an extra step and an act of kindness -- especially on a day when things were looking a little bleak.

So, today, I am thankful for that Costco employee and other people who make shopping a pleasure instead of a dreaded chore.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 8

I am grateful for furry friends. My dog, Ripley, has been a family member for more than 10 years now. She's getting along in years but she still wants to get involved in play time. She just doesn't have the stamina to keep up for long. She can be irritating but I love my old doggy. She been there through a lot of ups and downs.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 7

I am grateful for my son, Milo. The so-called specialists told us I was too old to have a baby without IVF or some other medical intervention. Apparently, this boy was bound and determined to be a part of our lives.

He can be a challenge sometimes. The time change has been especially challenging. And lately, he has decided to only eat cereal, bread, pickles and peanut butter. He can try my patience some days. And he often has way too much energy for this 40-something mom. But he is a joy to me and does something every single day that makes me so thankful to have him.

When I was younger, I wasn't sure I wanted to be a mom. But now that I am one, I'm so grateful that I get to be Milo's mom.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 6

I am grateful for my brothers. I'm sure there were times, growing up, when I wished I were an only child. It wasn't always easy growing up with three older brothers and no sisters. I didn't make it any easier on myself by insisting on being a tomboy. I always wanted to play with the big boys but was often too small and/or too young to keep up (or avoid getting hurt).

Me and the boys

I learned a lot from my brothers. Most of what I know about sports, I learned from watching them play. From peewee football and baseball through high school, I was pretty much watching them play sports from the day I was born. I learned but I could never really compete with how good they were. And I never really learned to love sports as they did/do. But I appreciate the knowledge I gained.

Sure, they teased and tormented but they also protected me. They made me laugh a lot more often than they made me cry. Miles separate us physically now, but I think we're all pretty close. And they're all pretty good guys. For brothers.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 5

I am grateful for the S.O. I may not always show my appreciation, but I am so thankful to have him in my life. He is a good father and provider. He does a lot for others. And he can make me laugh -- even when I don't want to. I love him.