I have much to be thankful for this year and as I haven't blogged in a while I thought this would be the perfect time to write them down.
1. My Values: people out there may not agree with my view on life issues( from the womb to the tomb), my love of the Catholic church and the teachings of the Magisterium, or other "hot" social topics but at least I KNOW what I believe and why. When I attend the "March for Life" every January I don't do it for the sight seeing opportunity...I do it because I believe in life and the value that it has. I joined the Patriot Guard Riders not because I look great in leather but because I love our military and believe in protecting their honor from crazazy people. I wonder if the "occupy' people even know what they are occupying for.
2.Our Military: Yes, I am thankful for every man and woman who has and will volunteer to serve in our military...but what I am more thankful for is living in a military town for the past 12 years. Every day I am awaken by the sounds of future Marines on Parris Island practicing on the rifle range. Some people may find gunfire disturbing...but I find it comforting. Just across the water from my home are men and women who are apart of or training to be apart of the most elite fighting force in the world, the United States Marines. I have faces, memories, and experiences of real Marines whom I call friends. Our military is not some phantom force that I hear about in the news, but they are my friends...dear friends, who have helped shape me into the patriotic woman that I am today. The greatest gift I ever received is my Ka-Bar from my Marine friends...even though I am a lowly civilian, it reminds me that I have friends in high and important places who are "the few, and the proud."
3. Co-Nursing Students (Friends): The Lowcountry can be a lonely place...it is a transient town filled with a lot of retired folks. However, I have made friends with some of the most amazing women through nursing school. These women are not only RN students, but they are mothers and wives. I only have to worry about myself but they worry about not only themselves but their families. We support and encourage one another. We want each other to succeed and I believe that anyone of them, like me, would do just about anything to help the other succeed in school. We laugh together, cry together, and for many of us pray for one another. We each love God in a special way and take one another's burdens to Him as Sisters in Christ. I look forward to class and clinical NOT just because of the learning experience but because I get to be with my friends.
4. Trials and Tribulations: James 1:2-4, 12- "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith devolops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it's work so that you will be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will recieve the crown of life that God has pormised to those who love him." Need I say more?
5. My Parents: When I came home from the convent I felt defeated and like a failure. I felt as if I had gone through a divorce except it was worse because it was Jesus. There are somethings that only parents can endure with the unconditional love that parents give...and this was one of them. They let me grieve and find my way. They encouraged me to go back to school and pledged their support, emotionally and financially, while I per sued my RN degree. Although they are not religious people, they know that I am, and through their gentle words, as I went through the grieving process, they reminded me that the Church has always been a source of comfort for me. But they let me return to Mother Church on my time. Like all parents they want the best for their children and when I feel so very behind in life compared to my contemporaries, they remind me of all that I have accomplished and not to compare myself to others.
6. My Birth-Parents: They gave me life...they could have chosen abortion, but they chose life. That is all.
7. Confidence: I am thankful for the growing confidence that I am gaining. I don't intend to sound prideful but I am learning that I am a pretty cool chick. The reason that I am thankful for this is it has slowly given me the confidence to demand to be treated as that by others (mostly men that I date). I dated a boy for about a year and I lacked such confidence that I allowed him to treat me in an unacceptable manor. I felt as if I had nothing to offer him and that I was lucky that he was interested in me. But through the "drama" that ensued from our relationship I learned a lot about myself. I may be shaped like a paler version of Queen Latifah but that in no way diminish my worth as a woman...lets face it, she is kind of smokin' hot. I was just inducted into Phi Theta Kappa because I am smart (God given smart but smart just the same). I earned a spot in a nursing program that receives hundreds of applicants and they choose only the best. I have traveled to 3rd world countries to spread the love of God and one day hope to serve our men and women in uniform as a DOD Combat RN. All of these things have given me the confidence to see myself as the kick ass woman God has made me and to demand respect from any man who wishes to court me.
8. Youth Ministry: I am thankful for the opportunity to volunteer with the youth in my parish. They keep me young, they keep me hip, and allow me to share the love of Christ. I own many pairs of TOMS and unnecessary scarves (I have yet to give into skinny jeans) so that I can be fashionable just like them and well, feel kind of cool.
9. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: They keep me fueled during late night study sessions and calm during stressful moments. In general they make an all over more pleasant interacting with SM experience.
10. Beer: Benjamin Franklin said it best-"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria."
This Thanksgiving I encourage you to make your own list of things that you are thankful for...it can help put our "first world" life into perspective.
Happy Thanksgiving.
