I got a run in today. It has been weeks since I last ran. I run only a couple of miles at most when I get the chance. I don’t have the time or energy to do much more than that, but I love it. I wish I had the discipline to run more consistently.
I love being outside, feet to the ground, my iPhone playing my favorite tunes. No demands. No needs. No wants. No deadlines. No obligations. Just me and my running shoes and my music. It’s heavenly. I’m thankful for running.
I can’t begin to describe how relaxing this weekend has been. I didn’t get to (or lacked the motivation) the organizing I was hoping to accomplish, but I got a lot of rest in. I’m so thankful for being able to relax this weekend.
I love when Ava gets all cuddly, especially on Saturday mornings when we’re still in our PJs. She’ll announce “I’m going to cuddle with Mama.” Then she’ll go upstairs and get her “soft blankie”, climb up beside me on the couch with her blankie, and cuddle up next to me. It’s the sweetest thing. I’m so grateful for these moments.
We have no plans whatsoever this weekend – Thank God!! I finally get to catch up on some housework, some organizing, and some general laziness. What I look forward to most is catching up on on my entertainment rags and catalogs. I’ve never been so excited about and thankful for having no plans!!
I went to a networking event after work today for women in the financial services industry. I’m pretty introverted, so for me to voluntarily attend the event was a surprising effort. I’ve always appreciated my career in financial services, but tonight’s meeting made me feel that much more grateful for it.
I enjoy helping people. And through my career, I am able to help people on so many levels. That is what is most rewarding about it. Tonight, I met several women who share the exact same feeling. They strive to help their clients protect their families and their assets and achieve their financial goals.
The gap between women and men in this industry is still pretty wide. So it’s inspiring to me to bear witness to the successful careers of female financial advisors. While my role is managerial, I was an advisor for a brief time and know full well how challenging it is to build a business as an advisor. And therefore, I have a tremendous appreciation for those who have maintained a successful practice – especially women. I’m honored and grateful just to work among them.
I’m sure many working moms can agree that leaving your child or children for ten or more hours a day to go to work is a guilt-riddling, anxiety-inducing necessity.
When Alexa was in day care, she cried almost every day. I can’t tell you how many times I cried on my way to work after just having left her sobbing at the classroom door and calling “Mommy”. It was brutal. I almost want to cry just thinking about it now.
Fast forward to about eighteen years later, Ava’s been in day care since she was six weeks old, and she has always loved it. In the past four years, she’s cried just a few times when being dropped off. In fact, I’ve had far more separation anxiety than she ever has.
Ava has been at her current day care since she was just a little over a year old, and she loves it. The staff is so warm and nurturing. Everyone there knows her. And true to her character, Ava walks around like she owns the place. I’ve never felt so much confidence and security in my child’s care. I’m so grateful for it.
Today I’m very grateful for the right to vote!
I love watching NFL football any day, but I’m especially thankful that it’s on tonight. It’s been an intense couple days, so I’m grateful to be able to spend the evening relaxing while watching this Colts versus Giants game with a glass of wine. Go Andrew Luck!!
(It also helped that my fantasy team WON!)
Today was a tough day. This morning, my Mom, my sister and her family and my brother and I all went to mass together for the All Souls Day celebration. I’ve been missing Daddy so much lately. Being in “Daddy’s church”, where he ministered and was very much a part of the church family, made my sadness surface uncontrollably and I sobbed in my mom’s arms soon after mass was over. I felt Daddy everywhere in that church. His spirit was all around me and it made me miss him that much more.
After mass, we made our way to the cemetary to visit Daddy. As soon as we arrived, again, I felt him everywhere – in the trees, in the wind. I broke down again as I put my hand to his name on the mausoleum wall.
As sad as the day was, I was so thankful to be surrounded by my mom, sister, and brother. I felt full of their love as my mom held me tight and as my sister and brother rubbed my back as I cried. It got me through the day and I could not be more grateful for that.
It’s tough. On one level, I look forward to going to Pearland and seeing my Mom and brother and visiting Daddy. And yet, on another level, it’s painful.
When I’m in Austin, I go through the motions of my life with Donovon and the girls, our family and friends there, and work. I don’t feel as connected to Daddy when I’m there as I do when I’m in Pearland. Daddy’s life was in Pearland. When we would come to visit, he’d always greet us with so much excitement and enthusiasm. He would even call us on our drive to the house to find out exactly when he could expect us to arrive. He loved our visits, and I always looked forward to his warm welcome, his embrace, and his awe over how much Alexa, and later on Ava, had grown.
As I was driving toward the city today, it hit me how I wasn’t going to be greeted by him. It hurt. I miss him so much. At the same time, I still look forward to coming to Pearland. This is where I feel connected to Daddy. As I sit in my parent’s house tonight, I feel him close by. I can even hear his laughter echo. And I feel his love more here than anywhere. Although it pains me to be here, it somehow also gives me peace. I’m so grateful for that.
God I miss you, Daddy, but I’m so thankful to feel you nearby.
Gratitude Daily 