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.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 4

Today, I have to express gratitude for my "sisters" -- the women who chose my brothers as their husbands (technically or not). Two of them have been family for a very long time and one more recently, but they have all made quite an impact on my life.

The two who have been in the family for a long time blessed us with one of my wonderful nieces and two of my wonderful nephews. The other "sister" brought my third brother much deserved love and happiness.

When I was little, I wanted a sister. As a teenager, I was glad I didn't have a sister because my friends and their sisters all seemed to hate each other and fight all the time. Sure, I fought with my brothers sometimes, but never over clothes or boys. When my brothers got married, I gained sisters. I can't imagine my life without them. And I can't imagine how my brothers would have turned out without their good influence.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 3

I am grateful for the young people in my life: my nieces and nephews, and my own little guy.

My nieces and nephews are all almost grown now. The youngest of them is nearly 18 years old. They have been a source of joy to me for their entire lives. It's because of them I finally decided I needed to become a mom myself.

Milo meets his boy cousins, Thanksgiving 2011

I missed out on a lot of day-to-day things in their lives, due to the miles between us. Whenever I get to see them and spend time with them, I experience firsthand what great kids they are. I've been lucky enough to spend extra time with one of my nieces and cherish that time so much.

The way my brothers and sisters-in-law raised these young men and women will be an inspiration for me as I raise my own baby. Even as my nieces and nephews move into their adult lives, they will remain little girls and boyss in my heart. Our relationships will change, but my love for them never will.