*My membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The knowledge that God loves me and knows me individually.
*My wonderful, loving, patient and genuinely kind husband! I love him more than anything in this world! I couldn't live this life without him!
*My adorable children. I love listening to them laugh! I love the time we spend together.
*My parents. For raising me to be who I am today.
*My mother and late father-in-law. For bringing my husband into this world and for being wonderful examples on how I want to raise my own children!
*Siblings and in-law siblings. I love my sisters and my brother so much! I love my in-law siblings as if they are my own true flesh and blood! We have so much fun together!
*Friends from the past. Without them I wouldn't be who I am today. Just to go into a little detail because I am feeling that gratitude towards them today.
N taught me that there's more to life than high school immaturity. He cared about me without knowing me very well or caring about my high school social status. He made me realize that I am worth something more than popularity. I had a much larger self-esteem after knowing him.
A taught me that even through the years and through growing apart then coming back together again the friendship that started so long ago will always be there! We'll love each other as sisters until the day we die. I love her so much!
S, N, A, D, and S all love me as their sister even if we aren't biologically related! They taught me that you don't have to really be in the same family, to be family. And C because he's my real brother who is my best friend!
And finally, C taught me the true meaning of friendship. Through all my imperfections he has never left my side (figuratively). He's been a true friend for so many years. I have tried to follow that example to be the best friend that I can be to those that mean so much to me! To always be there for them when they need me most, no matter what. I love him so much!
LDS President Thomas S. Monson said, "I mention an expression of “thank you” to one’s peers. The teenage years can be difficult for the teens themselves as well as for their parents. These are trying times in the life of a boy or a girl. Each boy wants to make the football team; each girl wants to be the beauty queen. “Many are called, but few are chosen” could have an application here.
The song frequently sung in the Sunday School of our youth placed the spirit of thanksgiving into the depths of our souls:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. "
