I bet you'll never guess...

All month long, I have made it a point to post something each day that specifically stuck out to me to be thankful for.  One reason- well, it's November which equals Thanksgiving.  Second reason- it made me really stop for a minute once a day & be grateful.  It sounds silly, but it is such a simple thing to do that I think people overlook & it can change your outlook in a big way.

Besides the little things each day, I also focused on what I was most thankful for out of everything in the whole world & it is without a doubt my family. 

I know, I know, how original right?  I bet that was posted millions of times on Facebook statuses & said around tables & on elementary school assignments everywhere this past month, but mine comes from somewhere a little different.

Disclaimer-I am in no way saying that my family is better than anyone else's or that I am more thankful- just that it is different.
Most families come out of two people falling in love and making babies and marriage and more babies and they have jokes and traditions and fights and they all love each other all the time. Not mine.

My immediate family was born out of forgiveness, second chances, and understanding.  It took us a good 10 years apart to learn how to be a family together & I honestly would not have it any other way.  We would not be the people we are without that time, we would not appreciate each other in the incredible way that we do without all the hurt and frustration.  One of my favorite things is that we have all taken completely different paths & somehow we all wound up on the same page.  We enjoy the same things, we are all more connected to our faith, we laugh at the same jokes, it's like we never skipped a beat.

Now that we have "found" each other again, everything else is managing to fall back into place.  The family friends that we had lost touch with- that have managed to not change a single bit since I was little- are still there and it's like no time has passed.  Instead of remembering hurt feelings or placing blame, we can't get over how lucky we are to be back in this place together. We are making great memories and starting traditions and it really seems to get better every time. 

As cliche and silly as it sounds- everything happens for a reason.  And there is no feeling comparable to the moment you realize the amazing reason behind a hard time.

If you would have asked me a little over a year ago, I wouldn't have honestly had many good things to say and felt like an orphan of sorts...but now?

I have a daddy, brothers, sisters, in-laws, nieces, a nephew, a new something coming & a Kathy.  PLUS- everyone who became family and prepared me for what I have now.

Thanks for making me such a lucky girl!