Counting my blessings

This morning, I stopped at Walgreens for my daily Red Bull (A habit that I need to kick, but that's another story). I have had the same cashier the past few mornings. And every day, she has the same sullen look on her face. She rarely speaks a word, despite my overly cheerful attempts to smile at her and say, "Have a GREAT day!"

At first, I thought that she was a lady with a bad attitude, and probably needs to "suck it up." I was put out by her daily scowling, and felt that maybe she should try a little harder to be friendly.

But this morning when I was thinking of her, I started to wonder what in the world could be going on in her life to make her so unhappy? Then I felt sad for her. Maybe she or someone she loves is battling an illness. She may have lost someone she loved. She could be struggling financially. There could be a multitude of things going on that I do not know about.

And I started to count my blessings. It's easy for me to have a smile on my face every morning (well, not EVERY morning), because I have so many things to be thankful for. And in the spirit of the holiday, I decided to share them with you.

1. I'm thankful that I have a job. Many people are out of work right now.

2. I'm thankful for the USA. Although some of us think that things are "bad" right now, there is much more good in this country.

3. I'm thankful for my health and my family's health. I do not take this one for granted.

4. I'm thankful for my education. It is priceless.

5. I'm thankful for technology - the internet, cell phones, DVR, MP3 players. I can indulge, right?

6. I'm thankful for my extended family and all of my friends. They have all helped shape me into who I am today.

7. I'm thankful for my inlaws. They barely knew me when Jay and I got married. But from the beginning, they treated me as one of their own, and surrounded me with love. I feel like I have know them forever!

8. I'm thankful for my parents. There is just too much to say here. Since I have become a parent, I have more of an appreciation for everything they have done for me in my life. They are two of my closest friends.

9. I'm thankful for each of my sweet children. They are perfect in every way! And they bring such joy and meaning to my life.

10. I'm thankful for my husband. He is my best friend, and my true partner in life. He is the only man that could ever put up with me! He makes me smile everyday.

11. I'm thankful that despite all of the horrible things I've done in my life, God believes that I am worthy of all these blessings, and of the greatest blessing of all, the sacrifice of his Son. I am so undeserving.


I wish I had the wisdom to know what I could say to that Walgreens cashier, to make her smile. In the meantime, I will add her to my prayers, and continue to say, "Have a GREAT day!"