Recently, I traveled home with my baby to spend time with my parents so she could bond with them. My siblings took the opportunity to come around and see their first and only niece. It's been a long time since we all gathered together under one roof. It was a beautiful sight to behold as we gathered round the dining table and shared stories, cherishing the rare moments of being together again.
I've always been a family oriented person. They are my constant source of gratitude and support. They are like a vibrant rainbow in my life's sky. Family will always be there to catch you when you stumble. Family accepts you even with your flaws. No one can love you as much as your family does. Each time I see people from broken homes or people who have a fractured relationship with their families, it makes me appreciate the strong bonds within my family. The fact that we can fight and quarrel one moment and be all loving the next is a precious gift that I will forever treasure. There is a constant presence and unwavering support we offer each other be it financial, emotional or even moral.
I'm grateful for my little princess; my daughter. She illuminates my life with sunshine and fills it with boundless love. She is my everything. The mere fact that she is here with me is enough to be grateful to God. Her smile is so adorable it erases any trace of sorrow on my face. She just recently learnt how to walk and it's so fascinating watching her walk. I'm really grateful for the fact that she made me a mother. She can be quite stubborn sometimes but even her angry expression is so irresistibly cute it makes me just want to wrap her in my hands, squeeze her so tight and shower her with kisses on her head.
I'm grateful for the life partner I have. He's the soothing water to my fiery spirit, the tranquility to my turbulent waves. He is so patient, loving and understanding that if I am to choose all over again, I won't hesitate to choose him. He's taught me a lot in these few years of marriage. He's taught me how to think before I speak and how to react to situations that ordinarily would cause me to flare up. His role as a father is also remarkable. Each time I watch him bond with our daughter, it melts my heart. He's simply God's gift to me.
I'm grateful for the small circle of good friends I have. The few I have are friends that are ready to do anything for me. Their unwavering loyalty and willingness to support me knows no bounds. Good friends are rare gems and that's why it's often advised that if you find one, cherish them. I am filled with immense gratitude knowing that they will set aside their own troubles to help me in time of need. They are friends for life and I feel blessed and special to have them by my side.
I'm grateful for life. It's only a living soul that can show gratitude. I'm grateful that I can breathe on my own and move around and not somewhere attached to some machine. I'm grateful for freedom. You never know the value of freedom until it is threatened or lost. I'm grateful for the relative peace we are experiencing in my country. Even though the economic situation doesn't seem to get any better, compared to war torn countries, we are fortunate.
A popular hymn says, "Count your blessings and name them one by one." My blessings are just too numerous to mention. Everyday, I have a reason to be grateful. Gratitude is an attitude to be emulated.