Sunday, March 31, 2013

30 Days of Compliments / Gratitude - Day 7

VAL!! My very best friend in the whole world - we were born into separate families but through life and experiences, we've chosen to become family. I love you. You're kind, courageous, determined and stunningly beautiful. Honestly, how can so much awesome fit into such a tiny package!? You are an amazing mother and wife; I am so proud of the life you have built, and am honored to be part of it. I think we've done pretty well holding on to our friendship, after all these years and all the miles between us. One day we will go to Hawaii together and I'll show you all my favorite spots. Right now, the countdown is on (T-2days) and I cannot wait to see you!! The world seems to calm down and go at a slower pace when we're together, even if it's only because we're watching MMISWD or Oprah. Honestly, it's the best, and I cherish those memories (and can't wait to make more!)! I will see you soon, my bestie.

30 Days of Compliments / Gratitude - Day 6

El Duan (aka Duane), you are my day 6 tribute. Like our brother, Jeff, you are truly an amazing and dedicated father. There is no doubt you love Abbo more than life itself. She is a lucky girl to have you as a dad - even if her bedtime is a little early for my liking. You've also got the twisted Egner sense of humor, and that's a pretty great thread that ties the 4 of us together. You and Jeff give me crap when it's necessary and you both always get wrangled into helping me pack and/ove move, whether it be across town or 1000+ miles away. I love that you and Jeff aren't afraid to rock the mullets or the 'staches. It's no wonder people can't tell you two apart! So for all the times you've helped me with household projects, packing and transporting, and being a designated driver...thank you. Turns out, you're actually pretty awesome.

30 Days of Compliments / Gratitude - Day 5

Day 5 is for my brother Jeffrey. You're sense of humor is is often crude and wrong on so many levels, but that's what makes it yours. You don't apologize for it; you own it, and I love that about you. You're also one of the most loyal, caring fathers I've ever known. To watch you with Bowdyn warms my heart. He is 100% your child, and he adores you as much as you adore him. You are a man to look up to, a brother to cherish and friend to appreciate. I love that you take part in drag day, mullet night with the Monarchs and the annual Oktoberfest and rock them all equally. Which reminds me...I think I owe you a new hit list of awesome tunes. And by awesome, I mean 80s, of course. So yeah, we don't talk as much as we probably should, but I hope you know how much I love and admire you.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

30 Days of Gratitude / Compliments - Day 4

Day 4 goes out to my sister, Penny. You are the best sister and friend a girl could ask for. You're an amazing mother and wife and I feel so blessed to have you in my life. You're always there to offer words of comfort and encouragement. I love that we have sister secrets, laugh like hyenas at some of the dumbest stuff, have a mild obsession with all things British, and work together to complete the People Puzzler. Like our mother, you love unconditionally and are always there to support others when they're having a tough time. You have created a beautiful life for yourself and I'm so proud to be part of it. I don't say it enough, but I love you. (And I can't wait to see you!)

30 Days of Gratitude / Compliments - Day 3

I know, I know - I'm a few days behind on this gratitude / compliment project. Thanks to the SC pollen and Benadryl, I've been falling asleep before being able get online and post. Now it's Sat morning and I'm catching up...love the weekends! Day 3. I am thankful for my beautiful, kind and loving mother. There are many mothers out there, but this one is mine. If given the choice to choose any mother in the world, I would choose mine. She loves unconditionally, is always there to listen, and offers support and guidance. Years ago when I was going through chemo, she would always ask about how treatment was going, how I was feeling (you know - the usual worried Mom stuff), etc...yet, when I asked her to talk to me about anything else because it seemed every conversation was about chemo / my health, etc - she obliged. I know this could not have been easy for her, yet she did it because it was what I needed. I have never doubted for one second her love and support for me. She chased away the 'monsters', protected me from E.T., rubbed my belly and/or back when I didn't feel well and made sure to say "I love you" every day. She is an exceptional woman and my only regret is not realizing this when I was younger. She's one of my best friends, and I cherish the memories we've made as adults. No matter how many years pass, I will always need and want my mother's love and advice, and I'm lucky enough to know she will provide that. For these reasons, and so many more, thank you, Mom, for being the best Mom in the world. I love you!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

30 Days of Compliments / Gratitude - Day 2

Thank you to the person driving in front of me on the on the I-26 who posses mongoose like reflexes. You swerved to the left, toward the barrier, in order to avoid a collision with the officer in an SVU in front of you. This could have been a nasty 4 car pile up, with me as the caboose. Because of your quick thinking, I was able to avoid running into the back end of your car, which undoubtedly would have caused our Tuesday afternoon commute to become even more arduous than usual. You are one of the few drivers I've seen here who actually seem to have taken and passed drivers ed, and for that, kind stranger, I thank you.

Monday, March 25, 2013

30 Days of Compliments / Gratitude - Day 1

I was on Facebook earlier this evening and noticed a few friends had shared a post of thanks or a post complimenting someone. I, too, had received an 'invitation' to spread the love, so to say. Normally, this is something I would journal and keep private, but in this instance, it seems right to put it out there in the world. Mind you, I'm sharing this on my blog and not Facebook for a reason. Those who know about this (awesome) blog and check it will see it. Those who don't...well, they're missing out, aren't they? ;) Day 1. I am so thankful for the family I have been blessed with. I suppose this means I'm mostly thankful to God (or, whomever you believe in - everyone is different, and some don't believe in anyone. That's cool, too.). Without God, I would not have been born into the family I have, and would not have the family I have chosen. Now, I don't want to get all churchy and religious, but I do have my beliefs and yeah, I believe in God. Without Him, I wouldn't be here, so yeah, in my opinion He is pretty freakin' awesome. I love my family more than words can express and thank God every day for them. Mucho compliments to the big guy upstairs!