Fellow friends, family, friends yet to be-
I was surprised the other night as I drove down the road to see so many people outside busily setting up their Christmas decorations. A part of me was sad at this sight. Every year Christmas commercialism sneaks up a little earlier…. the hustle and bustle of it all. Sometimes it is easier just to get through the holidays as quickly as possible yet I find after a difficult year personally, it is important for me to share my thoughts for Thanksgiving. Outside of the big feast, the rest of the holiday seems lost.
I have so many things to be grateful for.
I have a comfortable home in which I live. I have all the amenities; heat, electricity, television for entertainment, computers to work and play on, house full of furniture, adequate clothing to wear. So many people around the world are happy to have a place to lay their head and they don’t mind not having the “amenities”.
I have 3 adorable children. My oldest is elegant, funny, intelligent, trustworthy, honest, loving, and an amazing giver of herself and her time. My son is smart, a comedian works hard and plays harder. He has autism but he refuses to let it have him. My sweet youngest daughter. She is my teacher. She suffers from Rett Syndrome, a very debilitating genetic disorder. Imagine the symptoms of Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s, Epilepsy and anxiety disorders all in one little girl. She does not know life outside the confines her body restricts her to yet she is the happiest most delightful child. Her eyes are bright and happy and her snuggles can melt away all the pain of my worst days.
I am grateful for amazing doctors. We had an opportunity to see specialists for the first time for my youngest and my understanding and awareness has grown tremendously. Thank you for all the late nights, difficult research, and awe inspiring love you have for disabled children.
I am grateful for having a companion to loves me. I may not be the best at showing my appreciation, love, and respect for him, but I would be lost without him in my life.
I am grateful for teachers. Some changes were made this year with my son and he bravely went to a new school this year. This teacher has made all the difference. My son will repeatedly say he hates the teacher but he knows that the firm structured classroom is exactly what he needs. My daughter goes to an inclusive preschool where she is surrounded by an entire school of people that have a great love for our special children. I know how much I worry about my children; I can hardly imagine how much love went in to these ladies (and gents) decision to come and love and worry about an entire school of some of the choicest spirits. I applaud you!
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve others. My physical health has been difficult the past 2 years and I have felt a great loss in my life. I no longer am the one most can turn to in a pinch to babysit their children, to cook meals for the ill. Yet small opportunities arise where I am able to serve. I have been able to help network to help when someone needs to find a deal on medical supplies. I have been able to help fundraise for charities. It may not seem like much, but I am to help serve others in my own way and am grateful I can recognize that.
I am grateful to be the recipient of service and charity. Without generous people donating items for a yard sale, we would not have had the money to see the specialists that opened our eyes to so many more things that my daughter is able to do. I am grateful to friends and neighbors who come to help me care for my children when I am too ill to get out of bed, for bringing cookies knowing I don’t have the time to bake them, for stopping by just to let me know I am thought of.
I am grateful for inspiration. I found myself in a little boutique this spring and as always, I had to check the sale and clearance items. It was on this day I came across an idea that started my home based business. I have enjoyed many conversations with friends about ways I can help them with their children by adapting clothing at an affordable price. It may not be profitable as of yet, but I know I am doing the right thing and am seeing through this company.
As you can see, I have much to be thankful for and I wanted to express to everyone the joy I have in my life when I take the time to reflect and be thankful. May your families be blessed this Thanksgiving and throughout the next year. And know, I am always a listening ear, a great networker, a good friend… know
I hope to be a part of your lives for many years to come. Happy Thanksgiving!
Syndi K. is the owner of Spatzgear, an adaptive clothing company for disabled people.
