Thanksgiving.....

Hello friends and family,

I cannot believe another year has passed by so quickly! This year I have many things I am thankful for.  My family is my greatest blessing, there are no words to express the love I have for each of them in my heart.  I have loving brothers, a sister, nieces and nephews and cousins that I love deeply.  I am grateful for the laughter and the tears that we share together through the years.  I have been blessed with a Mother that is also my best friend.  I don't know what I did to get to be her daughter but I am profoundly grateful for her.  She has always been there for me.  In good times and in bad.  She loves me unconditionally and I thank my Heavenly Father for every day and every minute I have with her.  I have also been blessed with two fathers.  My dad passed away from lung cancer 13 years ago. He taught me some difficult lessons during his time here on earth and while our relationship was somewhat strained he loved me in the only way he knew how and for that I am grateful.  I also have been blessed with a wonderful step-father who has been like the kind of father I always dreamed of having as a child.  He is fun, he loves me, he helps me and inspires me to be better.  I often wonder what I did to have a Dad who is there for me whenever I need him.

I am thankful for my friends.  I am one very lucky girl who has been blessed with the best friends.  I am so grateful for the laughter, the tears and all of the fun memories and times I have with them. I feel so lucky to have friends I had since grade school, high school, college and in life.  I love to laugh and have the best time when I am around all of you.  I am thankful for your examples in my life.  You have each touched me in ways that I can never repay you for. I am so thankful for the times we get together and visits on the phone that keep us connected.  I know time is hard to come by and I appreciate every moment I spend connecting with all of you.  I love you all deeply!

I am thankful for my home and my neighbors.  I am grateful for my crazy basset hound, she drives me crazy but she also has saved my life several times.  I am so thankful for the nights when my sugar drops and she instinctively knows to wake me up.  She has known from the time she was six weeks old and I am lucky to have her.  She also is funny and keeps me laughing.

I am thankful for the gospel for our Prophet, his counselors and apostles.  I am deeply humbled by their examples in my life.  I am grateful beyond measure for what they teach me and how much they love each of us.

I am thankful for personal revelation.  I am learning more everyday how to "Be Still and know that I (He) is God" and is there for us both in sunlight and in rain.  If we are still and listen we can hear Him teach us in those tender moments.

I am thankful for music and for the gift of singing that the Savior has blessed my life with.  I did not think I would ever sing again after two huge blood clots passed through my heart and into my lungs.  While there has been significant damage my little voice is in there.

I am thankful for the future and for the promise of a new day.  I want to make the most of every day.  Spend time with those I love and express my love to them.  Thank you for sharing your time with me.

I am thankful for a loving Savior, for His atoning sacrifice and for the beautiful blessings that He bore for me.  There are no words to express my deep and abiding love for him. 

Thank you all for being a part of my life.  Thank you for your friendships, your laughter, sharing your sweet babies and life in general with me.  I am a better person because of all of you.

As I spend the weekend and holiday with family, I wish all of you the blessings of your heart.  Let's stay in touch!

Love,
Karley