OPINION: Counting the blessings of family

And believe me, I’m talking to myself as much as anyone.

This year though, I really do have a lot to be thankful for and my cup runneth over.

Oh I still have a lot of bills to pay, I am still overweight and yep, there are a few more wrinkles and a few more gray hairs, but so what? I am basically healthy and I am surrounded by those I love.

As someone who has never had a very large family to start with and who has lost many, many of those family members way too soon, I am first and foremost thankful that my family is growing once again. When I married Charles 33 and a half years ago, like anyone, we didn’t know where life would take us. Our most exciting journey has been as parents of two children who have now grown into a fine woman and man. And this spring, our daughter Miranda and son-in-law Josh had their first child, Madison, who really is the most beautiful child in the entire world. All those seasoned grandparents who told me I couldn’t imagine it were right. A grandchild really does occupy a special place in your heart. We are all looking forward to her first Christmas.

Then just last month we welcomed another daughter into our family when our son, Zack, married Courtney, the love of his life. Watching my baby boy get married was an especially poignant moment for me. Seeing both my kids married and happy in their lives is the joy of my life.

Life is coming full circle, and I feel so blessed. I don’t want to take any of it for granted. And my children are certainly not all my blessings.

There’s my niece Deserree, who is more like a daughter than a niece to me, and her precious kids, Lindsey, Brody and Nolan, who are growing into fine young adults. Charles and I are honored to be their “Mee Maw” and “Pee Paw” since their own grandparents have passed on. And there’s Teresa, who is my second cousin, but she might as well be a (younger) sister, we have been through so much together. She also knows what it’s like to suffer loss and she’s a strong woman. I’m so grateful to have her and her husband Donald, and their sweet girls, Haley and Mary Kate as part of our family.

I have so many good friends who mean more to me than I can ever say. I hurt when they hurt, and I rejoice with them too, as I know they do for me. They are family too, maybe not by blood, but by heart, which is really all that counts. I hope you know who you are – I hope I have taken the time to tell each of you what you mean to me.

And my hubby might disagree with me on some days, but I am so grateful for my pets, they are the “heartbeats at my feet” and quite frequently, on my lap. I can’t imagine “home” without them. They are innocent and entertaining, challenging and loving and they have taught me much. We lost two of them this year and we still miss their sweet presence.

And last, but never least, there is Charles, who really is my partner, my confidante and my very best friend. I can’t imagine my life without him.

Sometimes times are tough and they surely will be again, but at the end of the day, I have all I really need and certainly more blessings than I deserve. So thank you Lord, thank you very much. Help me to be more worthy of all that you have given me. Help us all to count our blessings, one by one.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Margie Richards is a reporter and office manager for The Madison County Journal.