Reverb - Appreciate

Today's Reverb10 Prompt: Appreciate. What's the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?  (Author: Victoria Klein)
How can I even begin to express what I appreciate?  I have a whole new appreciation for SO many things.  Health, Life, Family, Friends, a roof over my head and food to eat ...

But truly, the ONE thing I have come to appreciate the most, even if we don't always get along perfectly, is my family.  After dealing with my mom's cancer for more than 10 months, we have all come to really be there for each other.  We always have, we've been lucky.  My brother started coming around more often, the kids were more gentle with Grandma, my dad was as present as he could be from 1100 miles away (temporarily working in another state).  We might not have a typical life together, but it's ours.

It wasn't an easy time for us.  Lots of emotions, phone calls, trips to the clinic or hospital. 

But we made it work.  We didn't have a choice, mom's health was priority.  She was blessed with our family support and the prayers and healing from people around the world, and she was graced with the gift of holistic treatments at the clinic to complement her western treatments.  All of it made us appreciate the amazing nurses who do MORE than they should be required to do and the great doctors that had her back at all times.  We didn't have any issues with the system like so many others do.  It was such a blessing.

My family has always been there for me, and I will always be there for them.  I don't always express that fact, but I will work on it.

I appreciate them more than they'd know.

I am so grateful

My heart will truly shatter from how big and overwhelmingly grateful I am for the journey of this past year.  Hardest and crappiest year of my life? Sure.  But what I have gained for myself and my family is immeasurable.  The absolutely true friends who have been there for me without hesitation or personal agenda, as few as they may be, are the light of my life and there will never be enough words to thank them enough for their support, encouragement, and deep honest true LOVE.

This really is an absolutely New Beginning.

This holiday of Thanksgiving means more to me than it has in all my 40 years.

And if I don't shut up now, I'll cry even more.

All my unending LOVE and gratefulness flows to each and every one of you, whether you are close friend or customer, client or blog reader.