Blessings...

For the past 2 months, I have not counted my blessings. I have been sad. I have been unmotivated and withdrawn. But today, during lunch with a good friend, and last week at my Uncle Abe's funeral, I was reminded of my blessings.
I will start with the blessings of Family. They are the foundation on which we are grounded. They are chosen by God for us. They are intricately woven like a rug on a loom. Families are complicated, but in the end they are the beginning. I was honored to have spent my Uncle Abe's final days with him. He was at my facility for care following a hospital stay and he spent his last 5 weeks there. I looked in on him in the morning, encouraged him throughout the day and said goodbye at the end of each day. My cousins were so grateful to me, but I am the one who is grateful. I got to know my uncle a little bit better. I got to talk to him about my Grandma. I got to thank him for the Strawberry Shortcake picture he painted for me when I was about 4 years old. I got to dye Easter Eggs with him and I got to bake him a Birthday cake with homemade fudge frosting...I am blessed. Several family members spoke during the Rosary and I learned things about Uncle Abe that I hadn't known before. I am blessed to have the family that I do. I am blessed to have an amazing husband who will sit and comfort me when I am sad and who reassures me that everything will be allright. I am blessed to have a beautiful, smart, and intuitve little girl who tells me, "mommy, I just love you." She is a gift that I am so thankful for. I am so blessed. I have wonderful sisters. They would do anything for me. I can trust them with my life. They are my best friends. My parents are supportive and loving and want only the best for my sisters, our spouses and our children. Mark's parents are wonderful too. They want happiness for us all. I am so blessed. I have incredible friends. Some are old, some are new. All have come into my life to bless me. They challenge me. I can laugh and cry with them. I can find joy with them. I am blessed. I was reminded of the scripture today, " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
I used to find my strength in my faith. But as life changes, and our blessings seem fewer, I waiver a bit with my faith. Somewhere in the Bible it says God doesn't give us more than we can handle (Obviously I can't quote it word for word...). I think its true. There is a time and a place for everything. And for for those moments, people, memories...I AM BLESSED!!!!! So count your blessings daily and be thankful for the gifts you have recieved. This is the challenge I have made for myself!