This is Just a Tribute

Hello all! I hope your holiday has been as rewarding and fun as mine so far! I'm in a great mood; like really, really great! Soo, I think I'll make a quick run down of what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving Season.

1. My Family.
   I know that typically people say they are thankful for their families; so allow me to elaborate here just a bit. In the last year, I have been engaged, gotten married, struggled with raising a husband, struggled with having a hand in destroying a marriage, been diagnosed with manic depression, played musical medicines, and gotten divorced. That's a LOT to take in in under a year. But my family has been supportive and caring throughout. My parents intervened and saved me from myself when I was at my lowest points. They saw my needs and did everything they could to help me. I owe so much to them. My siblings, despite losing what was to them a brother, have been real troopers. My baby sister has, if anything, become more open with me and I am very thankful for the opportunity to be someone she can trust with all her secrets. My brother is, as always, my brother. We fight, sure. But when he saw me hurting, he was absolutely loyal to me and tried is very best to comfort me. I am also very grateful to have such an open, loving relationship with my mom and my dad. Especially my mom. I can honestly say she's one of my best friends. I'm lucky to have her and my dad, who will always let me sit in his lap and cry if I need to.

2. My close friends
   When all the crap hit the fan, and I felt alone, my true friends stepped up. I swear, I had people crawling out of the woodworks to make sure I was okay. In times of trial, you will always find who your real friends are; who's willing to stick it out as your friend, no matter how messed up you are, and who would rather just delete you from their lives and be done with it. I've got to admit, there were a few that really surprised me. But to see how many people loved me for me, despite it all, was overwhelming and comforting. It makes me feel so loved and it makes me shine to know that I can be me with these people. So many of them knew I was not being me for so long. And I am very thankful to have those kinds of friends.

3. My Boss
  Odd as it may sound, Monnie Smith is someone I am sincerely grateful to know and to have been able to work for. She's loved me like one of her own and been a second mom to me when I needed it most. I will never be able to repay her for all her kindness. She is a stellar boss, and a remarkable woman. I am truly blessed to know her, and many other women like her.
 4. My Boyfriend and his family
   Cheesy? Yes. Truthful? Definitely. My boyfriend was one of my closest friends for a very long time. He knows me inside and out, almost as well as my own mother. When I was going through the divorce, he was one of many friends that came out of nowhere to make sure I was okay. I can't thank him enough for all the really great advice and talks we had those few months of hell I had to go through. I respect him so much for the man he's become, and no matter what he will always be one of my very best friends. His mother was also an incredible friend to me for many years. She always had great advice and a friendly face when I really needed it, and she still is one of the coolest women I know. I'm very thankful for both those relationships.
 4. Annie Hooper
  Annie has been my best friend since we were fourteen. We have seen so many ups and downs, but we stayed close through it all. If I ever needed anyone to help me bury a body, it would be her. She knows me like she knows herself. And I'm thankful to be the sister she never had =) I love you Annie bo Nannie!!


I'm also very grateful for where I am in my life right now. I've been through some trials for sure, but I have a sense of who I am through it, and a sense of direction for my life. I can't wait to see where this road leads next!!! I'm finally enjoying the adventure that is my life. And I hope you all can say the same.