Happy Thanksgiving. My second favorite holiday. Every year I have so many reasons to give thanks. Here are a few for 2008….some are meaningful and some are meaningless….but all of them make me stop and be thankful.
•I am thankful for my husband, Sean, who doesn’t let me take myself too seriously even though I want to. He makes me laugh at least 17 times a day. He is the reason I have so much to look forward to in this life.
•I am thankful for indoor/outdoor slippers ( remember i said some were meaningless)…they come in handy when your office is on the other side of your yard.
•I am thankful for my husband’s job. I am happy because he is so happy.
•I am thankful for the little children I used to take care of when I lived in Burnsville. They filled my life with so much joy and I still think of them almost daily. They are absolute sunshine and they keep me excited for my own babies someday.
•I am thankful for my home. My place of rest and comfort from any of life’s storms. Though I lay in bed and dream of something newer, nicer, bigger and cleaner….I am thankful that these 600 square feet provide the foundation from where so many bigger dreams will launch. We didn’t buy a dream home, we bought a dream lot and we know the best is yet to come.
•I am thankful that I don’t have the slightest urge to obtain a “door buster” sale item on Friday…I will instead sleep in and wake up in my sister’s home…under the same roof as my mom and siblings. I would wait in line for hours to have that opportunity, anyday.
•I am thankful that this year I learned that t.v and internet surfing mean I get nothing done, while me and music mix very well.
•I am thankful for my cousins who can relate to me and laugh with me at things no one else would ever think is funny. I love them all so much.
•I am thankful for my mom. Every. Single. Day. There is just not enough room to write all the reasons for why I am thankful for her. She is simply the best. I can’t even articulate it.
•I am thankful for the Peace Lily in my living room who so willingly lets me raise it. It’s such a good plant. So hardy and resilitent, especially when it’s left alone for 10 days. I so love house plants and this champ is a such a survivor.
• I am thankful for my dogs, Maggie and Gus. I admire how they greet every new day with the enthusiasm of a 5 year old on Christmas Morning. They are my backseat compainions to the post office and bank everyday. They make me smile and I truly believe Maggie is the sweetest dog in the world and Gus is the biggest clummsiest naughtiest cutest dog in the world. •I am thankful for summer nights roasting marshmallows on the beach on Whitefish with my husband’s family.
•I am thankful for the organization, PPA, Professional Photographers of America. I am continually educated and inspired by this group.
•I am thankful for my sister’s Annie and Mackenzie, and my brother Josh, who are my best friends in the whole wide world. A while ago I learned that of all the relationships you have in life, the relationship with your siblings is the longest. Think about it. It’s true. I can’t think of 3 people I would rather call my sisters and brother. They are quiet supporters of my business and all my life’s goals. I am proud to be related to each of them.
•I am thankful for my mother-in-law because of her generosity, love, and interest in our lives. I am lucky to have a mother-in-law who provides effortless companionship. Being with her is easy.
•I am thankful for my little reliable plastic saturn that gets me where I need to be…even if the rattle of the muffler his enough to clear the drive through. You know, some of the wealthiest people in the world drive the biggest beaters. I’m not saying, I’m wealthy, I’m just saying I drive a beater….and I guess I’m thankful for it.
•I am thankful for my dad and for the last 10 months of his life so we could conciously and lovingly care for him. I look back on the opportunity to witness his triumphs and struggles as one of the greatest honors of my life. To be close to someone dying and be given the opportunity to care for them with intention and purpose is a humbling and heartwarming experience. I am thankful for strength and compassion he and my mom had during his illness. It was as though he was caring for his children even when we were caring for him. I am thankful for everyday I was able to push his wheelchair, straighten his blanket, hold his hand, kiss his cheek, fill his glass, and see his smile.
•I am thankful for my business…. A “something” that was once A ”nothing”. A career that fulfills my needs to not punch a time clock.
•I am thankful for my clients. Though it may seem like I work for myself, the truth is, I work for you. I am thankful for the opportunity you have given me. Because of you I am living my dream and I can’t think of anything more satisfying than waking up and going to a job feeling like it’s not even work…. a job where I get to trudge across the yard to a wee little office and be a photographer. Everyday. I promise never to loose sight of the fact that I only have a business if I have you. I am inspired and humbled daily by your faith and trust in me. I am so thankful for you.
I wish everyone a weekend filled with warm food, family fun, laughter galore and tight hugs. I will be celebrating in Red Wing and South Dakota with the people most dear to me. I will return to all things TREELINE, bright and early Monday morning…. Love and Hugs, Chelsie
Jack, You are a cutie! You are also lucky to have such a gifted photographer for an Aunt!