A thankful heart
2017 has been difficult in ways I could have never imagined. It was awful.
Sickening.
Lonely.
Grief stricken.
Heart broken.
Lost.
Sad.
Unfair.
And if I only focus on the ways it has been difficult, I miss the many good things that this year has brought. I want to highlight three things I am especially thankful for this year.
My husband and his unwavering support. Like this man has seen me at my worse and he loves me the same. He has held me up. He has allowed me to feel ALL my feelings. He supports our family financially so I can focus on school. He pursues me. He honors me. He compliments me daily. He cherishes me. And he doesn’t do this out of obligation, but because he loves me and desires to care for me. What a gem!
My siblings who bring much joy to my life. Losing a parent definitely has the potential to bond siblings and that has been the case for us. We now communicate daily. We share funny stories. We send each other funny memes and clapbacks. We ask each other for advice. We share memories of my daddy. We express our sadness along with our joy. And even though we argue and they get on my nerves sometimes, lol, our relationship has so much joy. They make me laugh. They make me smile. They allow me to share my feelings honestly. We have gotten through this year together and I'm so grateful for them!
A beautiful new home. Emmanuel and I moved into our new house at the end of January. We moved in a week after my daddy’s funeral; to a house where my daddy’s room would now be used as a guest room. It was bittersweet. However, over the last ten months, our house has transformed into a home. It is a safe haven for me to just be, without expectation. I love our home! Not just because it’s beautiful (at least I think it is!), but because it’s warm and welcoming. We have space to host my family, have friends over, or just be. Our home represents something that we built together. Every day I come home from campus and smile as I enter our home; still a bit shocked that this is ours.
In the midst of the heartache this year has brought, I want to also have a thankful heart. I know my daddy would want that.
