Kate in the Middle: Giving Thanks

Writer  /  Kate Rhoten

It’s November and the holidays are fast approaching. It’s probably is one of the busiest seasons for families. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving.

It has been my favorite since I was a teenager. I’m not exactly sure when and why, but it may be due to learning early on in my teen years that sometimes you may not have what others have, but more often than not, there is something to be thankful for in our lives.

As a teen, my parents divorced. As my mother, sister and I continued on together, we had little in the way of things. A few years later, my mother remarried. My step-dad enjoyed Thanksgiving, and by his own example, I believe I learned the importance of being thankful for the little things.

In the spirit of the season, here is my list of what I am thankful for this year and have been for many years:

1. Faith. I can’t imagine not having it. Growing up, my family did not attend church. Many times I attended church with friends and their families. I was exposed to many different denominations of Christianity. The church I chose with my spouse in which to raise our family is one of the best decisions I have made. When life doesn’t go as planned, faith can carry you through.

2. Family. I really enjoy being with my husband and boys. There is nothing more important to me than these three people. My husband and I have been married for 20 years. It doesn’t seem possible. I truly love being with these three “boys” whether it be at home just hanging out or going on vacation to relax or explore a new place. Lots of memories have been made and lots of bellyaches from laughing.

3. Health. I am healthy as well as my family. Other than the normal bumps, bruises and a break, we are staying healthy.

4. Home. I have a place to call home. It provides a place to unwind, eat together, play games and recoup from a good day’s work. Growing up, I learned that the size or features of a house or apartment do not make a home; the family and what you do to create a safe and tight environment for your family unit is what makes a home.

5. Work. Both my husband and I are employed and enjoy our work. The jobs provide for our family and create opportunities for us to continue to learn and grow in our professional lives as well as plan for our future. Our work also helps us provide opportunities to create memories by taking family vacations and have impromptu fun in between.

6. Friends. There are some very special people in my life, really our lives, which I am blessed to have as friends. These are folks that we have known for many years and are some of the best people we know. They are there in the good times and bad. You can’t expect anything more than that from a good friend.

Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy these often hectic times while remembering what is near and dear to your heart.

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