Thank You Kind Strangers- BFF 188 and GBE2

     It seems especially fitting after the week I have had with my son’s accident to take the time to thank all of you for your good wishes, thoughts, and prayers during this chaotic time in my life.  When disaster struck, I was in the last phases of the A-Z challenge determined to finish.  Finish I did.  Writing calmed my nerves like nothing else could.

      You were all quick to offer your outrage and support at the treatment we received at the local hospital’s ER department.  You gave your prayers and kindness quickly and often over the course of these dark days as my son’s condition went from bad to worse.  Jenn, Mary, and Jo offered their kind loving hearts and sympathetic ears by instant message when I needed someone most.  Thank all the kind bloggers who belong to the GBE2 and Writer's Post's groups!   I can honestly say that when something like this happens there is no other time I feel more on my own with my husband on the road and me here to cope.

       Today my son is home once again.  Even though he returned to school on Tuesday because his fever finally broke, by yesterday he had suffered a relapse from simply doing too much to soon.  He came home from school and instantly fell asleep on the couch for 4 ½ hours.  When he awoke, he was once again burning up with a fever of 103.9, complaining of a headache and pain in his legs.  It seems we have gone through a lot of Motrin and Tylenol in the last week in an attempt to keep this fever at bay.  

       Panic gripped my heart once again.  Once again I notified my doctor at home.  Once again he told me to treat the fever, and report to the emergency door of his clinic first thing in the morning.  Once again I found myself watching my son being checked over thoroughly by the man who has cared for me and my family my entire life.  It seemed fitting to remind this kind, wonderful doctor that we first met 44 years ago this Saturday.  That’s right, this same doctor brought me into this world all those many years ago and he means the world to me.

        With a note excusing my son from school for the remainder of the week, we headed first to his school to drop off the note, then home so my son could relax, I could clean house, and as always I could write.  It seemed only fitting that I sit down now that the dust is settling and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel to thank all of my kind readers for reading my words, for your kind comments, thoughts, and prayers.  It seemed fitting to thank Dr. Robert Abel for his kindness and dedication to the care of my son, and my family throughout the years.  A lot of family doctors keep themselves at a professional distance from their patients, if even at times a stand offish snooty stranger.  Dr. Abel has always seemed more a dear lifelong family friend.

         Before I am all said and done, I would like to thank Sherri who has been like a sister to me my whole life and for being that kind, concerned voice of reason when I was losing my mind.   Thank you to my dear husband, who I love more than life itself.  Without him, life just wouldn’t be worth much.  I am so happy and relieved he is finally coming home today!!  This blog has opened me up to a world of wonderfully kind people who are nice enough to visit my little place in cyber space, read my words, and often join in the conversation by putting in their two cents.  Thank you for being a friend, whether stranger or not, until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

Gratitude- BFF 170

      Gratitude is an attribute I have tried to instill in both of my children from birth.  As important as it is to say “please” and “thank you”, it is equally important to be grateful for all we receive regardless how small a gesture it is.  To thank others for their time, their gifts, and their thoughtfulness is a given.  Thanking G0d for blessings received is a must.


  

     I have stood back and watched the effects not teaching kids about gratitude can have.  The kid grows up to be a rude, obnoxious a$$hole who thinks they are entitled to things and someone’s admiration simply because of who they are.  They would have been better taught to expect nothing and celebrate everything.   I can name names of people who don’t care enough about their kids to instill a sense of gratitude, but I won’t.  Their kids are the epitome of what I described above and I have no use for them and especially don’t want my kids rubbing elbows with them in case their bad example rubs off.  Sorry folks, it isn’t just because they are teenagers.  It is because you didn’t care enough to teach them how to act or set a good example yourself. 

       My kids are not allowed to act in such a fashion.  As long as I have breath in my body and have anything to say about it, that behavior will not be tolerated, ever.  They both know it too.  They know my attitude which is I don’t have to do anything except pay taxes and die, anything above and beyond that they should be grateful for.  Although they are far from perfect, 99% of the time they are grateful, polite, and good kids.  They have integrity and care about others.  They understand the need to earn respect and the value of the almighty dollar.  They also understand that time spent together is a far more precious commodity than stuff will ever be.  If you can’t be grateful at home, you sure aren’t going to be gracious elsewhere.

         As far as my own gratitude goes, I have a lot to be grateful for.  I am grateful for each and every person who reads what I write.  For those that leave comments, you are a blessing that brings a smile to my face and warms my heart.  I love that you wave both hands, jump up and say by leaving a comment “I was here!”   I am grateful to have two smart, healthy, well adjusted kids who my life wouldn’t be complete without.  I am grateful for my husband who sacrifices precious time with all of us to be on the road and make a living.  I am grateful to him for allowing me to stay home with our kids and hold down the fort.   I am grateful each day for the roof over my head, the bills we are able to pay, the food on the table, and the clothes on my back.  Without G0d, nothing would be possible and I count my many blessings everyday. 

        There is ALWAYS something or someone to appreciate no matter how bad things seem.  I have a knack for finding the sunshine.  Maybe today I can’t, but maybe tomorrow I can.  Life can be hard, but life is a lot better when a person can find a reason for being glad much like Pollyanna did until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.