Being 9/11 today and seeing this new Facebook trend of gratitude posts, I felt I should take notice of the good things in my life.  It’s very easy to get bogged down by life’s regular issues, like health, money, work, etc.  However, we need to remember that it could always be worse and maybe our life’s journey has some hurdles that we need to learn from and grow from.  I’m glad that this viral FB trend is getting people to stop and think about the positive.

I am grateful that 13 years ago while roaming around feeling scared in a devastated Manhattan, I managed to somehow find my husband across town and make it home safely.  I’m grateful that my loved ones were also saved that day and am remembering the people I knew that didn’t make it.  I’m also thankful for each day of life since then.

I’m also grateful for the love of friends and family.  These days we get so busy with things that we don’t always get time to connect with people who matter.  Luckily, many strong friendships are able to withstand those gaps.  I am happy to have Facebook because despite its issues, it helps me keep connected with many people.  Many complain that this promotes surface friendships and is more of a brag-book.  I acknowledge that it doesn’t replace talking and meeting but there are many people I wouldn’t be connected to at all because of distance or differences in life’s activities, etc and FB makes it possible.  There are many friends I would love to talk to more but at least I can still be a friend in a small way through this forum.  I recently had issues with my son’s health and changes in his diet and many old friends rallied around through Facebook to give me support and send me resources and advice.  Some of these people I haven’t seen in years but they were still caring and I’m grateful to have them in my life.

I’m grateful, as well, that today is a nice day and I could take a walk around the Princeton campus to better my mood and health.  I’m also glad that my feet didn’t hurt in these particular shoes.  I’m grateful for a good physical therapist that makes pain bearable without taking too many drugs.  I’m grateful for the time I have with my parents too since good friends have recently lost their’s and it makes you scared.  I’m grateful for the joys and challenges of being a mom.  There are a million more things I could list but I think this was a good enough break from negativity.  Thank you God and nature and friends and family for giving me a good life.  What are you grateful for???