Glitter on the Side: Gratitude

Gratitude.

As I sit here clicking away, I am surrounded by so much gratitude.

(My amazing mom)

It sits besides me.
It embraces me and keeps me warm.

Like the feeling one gets from the furriest blanket on a cold December eve.

I feel so loved, so accepted, so nurtured and so Happy.
I am grateful.

Thank God that I am healthy and so is everyone around me.
After losing a neighborhood Fire Fighter this weekend I am reminded in burning retina color how precious our moments are.

To live them to the fullest potential.

To seize the day.
The books have already been written, lyrics have been sung.

Gratitude for everything.

Every single ounce of life.

(friends from Hello)

I squeeze it out like the end of the toothpaste.

From the scent of my morning Chi Latte.

To watching Natie run to the bus with the eager anticipation of a new day.

To the girl at the gym who remembers my name and tells me how beautiful I look at 8 am.

I am grateful for the loud music I am able to enjoy in the comfort of my own vehicle. Singing as loud as Jagger and believing that I am.

(Jagger? Nope just a lil Brett Michael's)

I am grateful for this computer as I am able to connect with friends near and far.

The early afternoon where I hear nothing but silence which reminds me how much I love the spoken word.

I am grateful for the front door swinging open as my children enter a loving and accepting family.

I am grateful for the moment we sit at the table to share a meal. I know too soon my children will spread their wings and soar.

I hold onto those moments with crazy glue and vengeance.

(favorite moment of the night? When Nicki told me my tushy looked small in my jeans!)

I am so grateful for the ding of my phone as I receive a text from a friend. To know that at that very moment someone was thinking of me.

(always honored to have our big-wigs represent!)

Sends warmth down my being.

I am grateful for clients I have had, some for almost 20 years.

(true beauty inside and out)

(new friends for life)

I am grateful for humor and that I never take myself too seriously.

(LOVE the shirt! And the tattoo!!)

I am grateful for the moments within the day that allow me to do something good.

(the beautiful and hilarious Kelli!)

(maybe the cutest lil dude I've ever seen)

For someone else.

Cuz that is whats fuels me.

(remember from an older blog..this is the baby I went to visit in the hospital after birth? Look at her NOW!!!!)

I am grateful for the laughter I receive from Modern Family. The laugh out loud chuckle that erases the moment of sadness that may have been lingering on too long.

(my foundation- yep that's me smoking-the beginning of my bad-ass attitude! hahah)!)

I am grateful for my beginning.

Every moment that my parents gifted onto me.

(where all my dreams and hopes were created-where I grew up)

To create who I am today.

For the coziness of cotton socks and the smell of vanilla.

I am grateful.

HollyDays 2012

Yes, I lay awake for months.

(outstanding artists- in awe of their creations)

I panic over things out of my control.

I am a nervous wreck.

(so many stories)

(My friend Mark, aka best photographer in the world...Lulu photography too!)

I open the doors and am grateful that YOU walked in.

The words I receive, the hugs, tears and thanks are amazing.
My best buddy, Mark actually told me the next day that "I am such an inspiration and thanks for existing"!

(First year with raffles. Thought we would have a few...OK, over 50! Thanks and love to Genie and Jennifer)

Given to me?

(some of our paintings by our special kids)

A little North side Jewish gal that is merely doing the best I can?

This is NOT about Me.

Its about you.

You who believed in me and my dreams.
Its for all of you that held me up through the darkness. You dried my tears and helped me walk to the light. Now its my turn.
To pay it forward.
I am grateful to have the chance to give it all back.

Before the doors opened I was greeted my a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
A complete surprise.
From a friend that was sending kindness and gratitude my way.
For being their friend.
Something that comes easy for me.

I need my friends, I love my friends. I appreciate my friends.
I never let them go.
I never take them for granted.
I tell them how much they matter.
I am merely a speck without them.

Every single moment of every single day.
They are my backbone and my firm hand that holds me up.
They are my muse and my inspiration.

I am blessed to have a friend who wanted to do something special for me.
To give of themselves in a beautiful technicolor sweetness of roses and happiness.

And yes it touched my soul.
I am a giver.
Not a good taker.
I am humbled by others genuine touch and reminded of how lucky I am.

The doors flew open to greatness.

So many volunteers.

(my favorite picture of the night, my sons warm embrace and a smile to light the room)

So many friends.

Many familiar faces.

Many new.

Amazing that an extra chromosome can ignite a friendship in seconds.

I met a few new sisters, brothers too.

Ones that I will have for a lifetime.

We talked, we smiled, we laughed and some cried.

We were full of love and the sense of community.

(a new family from Poland, so lost- BUT now she has all of us...)

900 people graced our floor with acceptance and celebration on their minds, and in their soul.

Moms wept as they saw their miracles faces adorn our walls.

Weeping from Pride.

Tears of wet love and great dignity.

(some of Nate's fan club)

The night was amazing.

(proud to be friends, such beautiful friends I have inside and out!)

I was lifted by the power of people.

(this is Nate's friend Colin, his genuine bear hug will send warmth down your spine- magic in his touch)

I have never felt so loved or appreciated.

I am grateful that God chose me for this path.
That I am able to share the gifts that I have worked so hard to achieve.
I am grateful that in my brief moments here on earth I am able to touch and be touched.