Happy Thanksgiving!

As the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend comes to an end, I have much to give thanks for. 2012 has not been one of my favorite years. It's had many more stressful, difficult and sad times than most. The year started with promise, with exciting new work responsibilities and road trips, but threw us all a big curve in March when my mom was admitted to the hospital. 

Mom has emphysema, and has been on oxygen full time for about 7 years. She had noticably deteriorated in the six months prior. My sister had been trying to get mom on the phone for the better part of a day, and when we still couldn't find them the next morning I gave their neighbour a call. Sure enough, there had been an ambulance at the house the evening before. Why they didn't give me a call sometime in those 12 hours still remains a mystery. We phoned around to hospitals and finally tracked them down. When I walked into the emergency room where mom was, the first thought that entered my mind was this is what death looks like! The next five weeks were full of big ups and downs, from the day the doctor told me not to expect another 24 hours, to (a week later) getting the okay for mom to attend her 50th wedding anniversary party! (Yes, I was taking care of the details of a party between hospital visits) She was released from hospital a week after that, and has been doing just fine ever since. I'm thankful for these bonus months with mom. 

My sister and niece have had some very troubling times as well. Things are looking up for them, and I'm thankful that they both came for dinner this weekend. 

This year also saw a couple of friends/mentors/bosses leave SmugMug, and that was hard to work through. I'm thankful that they have both moved on to new adventures, are happy and remain friends. 

Edmonton saw a couple of really wild summer storms. In mid July, a hail storm seemed to find our property and sit on top of it. We had 45 minutes straight of hail (like nothing I've ever seen before) and our gorgeous garden was completely wiped out! We don't water our gardens quite the same way we did on our city lots, since we truck water in. We had had one of the best springs, with plenty of moisture and warm temps, and our garden was going to be spectacular. Absolutely everything was going to bloom, and bloom big. And the hail ripped it all to shreds. I was devastated. I am thankful that gardens are renewable resources, that I have another opportunity again next year, and that the frost stayed away long enough that some plants had a second chance to bloom! 

 We are test driving empty nesting, as we only have one at home at the moment. I'm thankful that we are finding ways to spend time together now that the years of 'kid driving' and 'kid sport' are done. 

Our daughter is off at Queens and our baby is in Vancouver at a rugby academy. Our oldest is in his final year of his engineering program and has 7 courses this semester. I'm thankful that my kids are healthy, pursuing paths that make them happy and growing into seemingly well adjusted and happy young adults. 

I'm thankful that our old dog is still keeping us company. 

I'm thankful for friends, old and new. 

I'm thankful that I don't feel my age most days. 

I'm thankful that my husband of 27+ years still looks at me with a silly grin! 

Happy thanksgiving! I think I'll be thankful for the new year as well!