Thankfulness
What is thankfulness to you?
I took some time to reflect on what I’m most thankful for. I know that I’m very blessed and sometimes I have taken my blessings for
granted. However, when I pause to think about what I’m thankful for, I realize that there is an overabundance of things to write home
about, far too many to name here, but one in particular which stands out today.
I lived for over 20 years in what I call a doll house, not because it is cutesy and should be on display by any means. I call it a doll
house because there were lots of rooms in it and they were all miniature like a doll house. I complained about it sometimes and
wanted more spacious rooms, but because of these extra rooms, I was been able to share my home with many people over the years.
I always wanted a home where I could fit just one more and I was grateful to have it.
I have an adopted sister. When we were younger, she lived in a foster home at my neighbor’s house. She was my best friend and we
played together every day. After a while, things weren’t working out where she was living and she was going to be placed again with
yet another family. I begged my mother to just let her stay with us for a while. After all, she was 14 years old, not likely to be adopted.
My mother ended up adopting her and my best friend became my sister. We had the best times together. When I moved out at 19
years old, she moved out with me. We worked together, hung out together, and always got along very well. Then we both got married
and had children and, although still very close, drifted some into our busy and separate lives. Time went on and we both ended up
divorced and our lives got even more hectic being single parents.
I love my family. I used to have a family sleepover once a month and anyone who could make it came over. We watched movies,
played board games, had snacks and just enjoyed each other’s company. We filled every room and I loved having people around.
My sister was financially struggling for months. Her young daughter had a baby and she was caring for her daughter and her grandson.
She had lost her job of fourteen years and could no longer make ends meet. She was tired and worn out but never really gave up. So,
I adopted my sister all over again and she moved into my house with my niece and great nephew. We were roommates again and it
was a great comfort to both of us.
In the most stressful of times can come the strangest miracles.
I was happy to be there in my sister’s time of need and merge my adult world with my childhood world, if only for a time, in this unique
way.
I loved my doll house which was warm and inviting and the place I called home!
And, speaking of dollhouses, pictured here is the one my mom made for me out of a medicine cabinet!
#thanksgiving
#thankfulness
#dollhouse
