Its the easy way out, but today I am going to make a list of what I am thankful for. I think its a good idea anyways because too often I am struck by the fact that I am incredibly spoiled by all the wonderful things I have in my life and still spend enormous amounts of time complaining. I should probably spend one day every week writing about all the things I have to be thankful for.
1. I have a wonderful, generous, patient, loyal husband- who is an amazing handyman, which I never would have put on my list of "Must Haves" for Prince Charming, but in retrospect, its one of his best qualities (I'll call it "usefulness")
2. For a healthy child, relatively speaking I suppose. She probably isn't the nicest kid you'll meet, or the prettiest, or the smartest, or the one that sleeps/eats the best, or is the most obedient, etc etc but then I don't know that I really care. As long as she is healthy, I am thankful and happy for her.
3. Even though I moan about how bored I am spending my days at home and I long for a real grown-up job where I get to spend my days thinking Important Thoughts and talking about them with Adults, I am thankful that I have been able to spend all of Ella's babyhood with her. I can just enjoy these lazy days with her at home and in the park, going back to the US whenever I feel like it for long holidays with my family. And on top of it, I don't have to worry about the money we don't have since I am not working. That is probably the best thing. Not appreciating all this is stupid and it definitely makes me a spoiled brat. Promise to remind myself every morning how lucky I am.
4. I'm thankful for having such a big family that is so close. My sisters and brother and parents, all my cousins and aunts and uncles, my grandparents- every time I go home I feel so smothered in love, everyone stopping by the house to say hello and wondering how long we'll be able to stay and if we want to come for dinner or go out or if we need anything. I feel like no matter what happens to me, whatever bad thing I have to deal with, I don't have to be scared because I have this huge safety net. I see it like a spider web, stretched across une grande vide springing back whenever something heavy falls on it. I think thats always been the reason I've felt fearless and ready to take up any crazy opportunity that fell into my lap. The one real regret that I have about my life is that I live so far from home.
5. I am thankful that I was brought up to appreciate the things that I have. Where I grew up, most people were very very poor and I think that its so important to see that you don't need very many things to live; you don't need a lot more than that to be happy; and the most important things have nothing to do with money.
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3 comments:
NICOLE!!!!
How could you say that Ella is not the most beautiful child???
She is not just healthy, but also stunning. Believe me. Her photo is just gorgeous.I bet she is smart too.
Enjoy her while she is this age. It doesn't seem a minute since my eldest was a toddler, and suddenly she is 16 and in two years time will probably have flown.
I am currently suffering at the thought of an empty nest syndrome before it happens!! Believe me though I can remember being so tired and finding things very hard when my eldest was little. It really does get easier though. You become mroe laid back, your eysesight goes a bit, which helps avoiding to see the dust, and frankly you get better at being a mother I think. Like any other job, experience is a Godsend!
But she really is VERY beautiful, and everyone would think so I promise!
Sally
I agree with Sally, Ella is georgous.
Remember, when they start to talk they can answer back.
Enjoy each stage with her and don't wish for her to grow up too quickly because time flies and suddenly they're teenagers!
I don't know that ever actually look at her and think in terms of pretty or not pretty- its more often "her nose is just like her father" or "her hair reminds me so much of my baby sister as a baby". To be honest, its hard for me to describe to people my sisters or my best girlfriends- I think once I am really close to someone I can't judge if they are pretty or not. When I admire someone and love them, I like how they look, but its not necessarily linked to their physical beauty. With Ella, its even worse. I love how she looks- but I don't really know or care if it has anything to do with "prettiness". I don't want her to grow up with low self-esteem because we didn't tell her often enough that she is beautiful, but I hope that she is so confident about how much we love her we don't need to do that.
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