"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be." - Shel Silverstein

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Thankful 2009

I wrote a post on Thanksgiving last year. As I went back and reread it, it occurred to me that even though a year has passed and many things have changed in our lives, the list I made a year ago has not changed. Even though I have more things to add to the list, I don't feel I can express my thankfulness any better than I did last year. To keep this from being the longest blog post in the history of blogdom, I will include the link to that post here:



I hope you click and read. It speaks so clearly to how my life has changed in the last three years and I didn't feel I could leave any of the things on last year's list out of my Thanksgiving this year. And the story preceding the list is, and always will be, relevant and meaningful.

To continue the tradition for this blog that I started last year, I have compiled a list of my "thankfuls" this year.

I am thankful for the best team of doctors for Marissa we could have ever hoped for. Even though one of the major players is leaving and will no longer be caring for Marissa, (I'll blog about this later) we have been so blessed to line up such caring individuals to look after her health and well being. They have played a major role in keeping her one of the healthiest trach kids I know.

I am thankful for Marissa's health. Her last illness was *gasping and knocking on wood* February of this year. She hasn't had even so much as a sniffle since.

I am thankful to be able to play with Marissa. She loves to play all sorts of games, most of which she has cooked up in her little brain. Such fun.

I am thankful for Marissa's laugh. She has the best laugh I have ever heard on the entire planet. I am sure someday, world famous scientists from around the world will study her laughter for its healing properties.

I am thankful Marissa has done well enough this year to be discharged from physical and occupational therapies. It was one year ago, November 13, 2008, that she took her first independent steps. We haven't been able to slow her down since.

I am thankful for Medicaid. It kicked in at the beginning of this year as a secondary insurance for Marissa and we have not paid a medical bill for her since. It has made a world of difference and has been a major help in keeping our heads above water. She sure is an expensive lil' tyke, but worth every penny.

I am thankful to have had two Sister's Weekends in the last year and I hope many more are in store in the coming year. Katelynn and Michelle are two of the best friends I could ask for and I am so lucky to have been able to spend some good quality time with them doing crazy girl stuff. I am still catching up on my sleep from their visit last weekend!

I am thankful for a Summer that was filled with lots of friends and fun activities. Since we try to keep Marissa isolated during cold/flu months, and because this year she was able to enjoy fun activities and little friends more than ever, we took full advantage. It was great!!

I am thankful for Elmo and Signing Time videos, Band-aids and Neosporin, nap time and date nights. 'Nuff said.

I am thankful Marissa seems to be a relatively normal developing toddler. She is doing mostly age appropriate things as far as learning and development, and we couldn't be happier for that. Even though I could really do without the terrible two behavior, I am even thankful for that because it shows she is developing normally.

I am thankful for a forgiving God. I stumble more often than not and it keeps me getting up everyday and trying again knowing that He loves me no matter how often or how badly I fail.

I am thankful for a forgiving husband. Our lifestyle has caused some major stress in our relationship and I know I am not the easiest or nicest person to live with. He has stuck with me through it all and I can't thank him enough for that.

I hope you take time to pause this holiday season to consider all the ways your lives are blessed and what you are truly thankful for.

God bless you all and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

9 comments:

Michelle said...

I am thankful for all of those too! I'm happy she is doing as well as she is!

I love being able to provide care for your daughter so you guys can have a little break. (If only I can keep healthy!)

I'm so happy to have sisters like you and Katelynn and to be able hang out and do all the girly sister stuff with!

I'm so greatful that God has allowed Marissa to be in our lives.

When I was trying to figure out where I was going for my internships, Colorado Springs was the first choice.

Something kept pulling me here. I could have gone anywhere and I felt God pushing me towards here.

I knew it was meant to be when EVERYTHING fell into place. Job, housing, money.

I now know why he sent me here! Marissa is a gift from God and I get to enjoy it!

I too am greatful for her laugh and well (this is a really long message!) I'm greatful for so much!!!

Love you and thanks for posting this!

Hope said...

I know I'm losing it, I cried reading this. What a beautiful post. You are an amazing person.

Lacey said...

So many great things to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Nana and PaPa said...

Well, I too have to admit I broke into tears when I read what you posted Alicia, and then Michelle just topped it all off. We are so blessed and so thankful for Marissa..she truly is a gift from God. And I want to say ditto to all other thankfuls that are shared here...and so many more there just isn't enough time or space. We love you all and thank God you are ALL in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving...
Love,
Nana & PaPa

The VW's said...

Beautifully said!!!

I love the part where you said that Marissa's laugh will be studied by scientists for it's healing properties! That is great! And, so true!

Hope your family has a wonderful, blessed and thankful Thanksgiving! HUGS!!!

DevonLeah said...

and tears came here too ;)thanks for sharing from your heart. Yes, these children are gifts from God! We are so blessed....

Colleen said...

Beautiful post! Marissa is truly a blessing and miracle from God. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family:)

Tamara said...

Purrrefctly Put! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!! Give that girl a squeench for me!

The round-the-worlders said...

It is a wonderful blessing to take the time to actually notice how lucky we are. To step back from the day to day activities, both good and annoying, to remember what wonderful things we have. Marissa is a blessing to you both, and you both are blessings to her. Just think what she has to be thankful for! Her parents, Elmo, the rest of her family, etc. You know better what she would, and maybe next year will, say she is thankful for.

We, too, feel blessed and are thankful for having all of you in our lives. OK, I feel very blessed to be able to share and be in you lives. Don't tell your Dad, but the best thing about marrying him was getting all of you in my life. ;)

Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for the blessings.

Arnie (and Dad)