But on this day, I am taking a few quiet moments to reflect on the past year...
This year I have been lucky enough to continue to be blessed with beautiful, smart, loving children and a husband who works hard and loves us with his whole heart. We have made wonderful memories together at the beach, Turks and Disney World. We have celebrated occasions both big and small - birthdays, cookouts with friends, long summer days at the pool, watching the Ravens win the Super Bowl. I was my children's biggest fan as they learned to walk and talk, played sports, danced in recitals, swam on the swim team, and achieved success in school. Life has been good to us this year.
And this year and every year, I am most grateful for my family. Today at the dinner table, we all went around and said what we were thankful for, and as I sat and listened to my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, children and Poppy say what they were thankful for I realized we were all saying the same thing...each other. We are a big, loud, crazy bunch who would be lost without one another.
Of all the wonderful things in my life, I am most blessed to have witnessed a true miracle, Stella. Born so early, she has shown a fierceness like I have never seen before. She is the sweetest little lady. Her smile lights up the whole world. We all sit and stare at her. She is mesmerizing. There isn't a person alive who is immune to her. Everyone who meets her falls in love at first sight. She has had such a tough road in her young life, but you would never know when you are in her presence. She looks you right in the eye as if to say, "Don't worry. I've got this. I'm going to be okay." We are all thankful to have Stella in our lives. And if Stella could have said what she was thankful for today, this is what she would have said,
"I'm thankful for my mommy. She is my heart. She takes such good care of me. We are an unstoppable team, Mommy and me. I am thankful for Grandma and Pop who help Mommy and sing to me and call me their pretty girl. I am thankful for all of my aunts and uncles and Poppy who love me as if I was their own. I am thankful for my cousins who talk about me all the time, who draw me pictures, and who pray for me every night. They are my brothers and sisters, my protectors. I am thankful for the doctors and nurses who are helping me grow and get well. My family, I am your miracle. Your star. Have faith in God and have faith in me."
Happy Thanksgiving.
