Thankful.

So, the last couple of weeks my facebook family has been leaving posts everyday for what they are thankful for. I thought I would just wrap it up in a blogpost. So here goes.. First, i'm thankful for all my friends that have been there for me. Some examples are the friends that told me that it is ok to grieve, that its ok to put myself first. I'm very thankful to a friend that stood by me when I thought all was lost. I am thankful to the friend who taught me to enjoy life..and to plan on living my dreams..whether going on a trip, going to school..just to enjoy life. Its thanks to her that I have discovered that I can travel...if I put my mind to it. And I love to discover new places. I am thankful to the friends that helped me to laugh again..and laugh hard.

I am thankful to have had two amazing parents for as long as I did. Yes, the time was way too short. That leaves me thankful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Because I know not only will I see them again, but we are an eternal family. That gives me great peace. I am thankful that I got to spend Saturdays hanging with my Dad while mom worked. Even though I disliked going to Ole's, Builders Square, Home Depot...etc. I have some great memories..but I enjoyed the trips to the thrift stores the best, my favorite was Deseret Industries on mainstreet. Don't ask me why...just because. I am thankful that my Dad took the time with me to show me to cook. I really enjoy cooking. Sometimes adventurous. Like tonight. I have made turkeys before. I have cooked thanksgiving dinner before, but tonight...tonight i'm brining my first turkey. In a brining bag thats inside a home depot bucket. It smells lovely. I hope it turns out. I am thankful for the relationship I had with my Mom. I am thankful to her for showing me to be spontaneous. For showing me how to persevere when the going gets tough. For her example and her faith in me when I wanted to throw in the towel. For her telling me no matter who I become in my career that I am doing fine. For unconditional love and support. I am thankful for monthly shopping trips with my Grandma Josie..for the converstaions I would have and the experiences I would have with her and my Dad. Oh I miss them!!

Tonight at midnight, marks five years that my mom has been gone. I can't believe it. Sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday. I remember being thankful for a stranger that gave me a hug while I sitting by myself crying in the hospital lobby late one night. I am thankful for the human spirit. Yes, people a lot of the times think of themselves. But I have seen too many times the caring spirit. I am thankful for the patients that I have taken care of as a CNA and LPN. My healthcare career spans about 13 years now. So that probably means I have taken care of hundreds, if not thousands. I just did something silly..I did a calculation..an estimate have you of how many patients I have taken care of over 13 years. Roughly 14,000 people. If you take an account of  eight patients a day, three days aweek, 24 patients aweek, x by 4 weeks. 96 patients a month x 12 months and then by how many years i've been doing this. HOLY COW!! Some patients I have loved taking care of, some have been a challenge..to say the least. But I am thankful for them too..because all my experiences help me to grow as a nurse. To have the compassion and to listen. Because I have been on the other side.

So..thats what i'm thankful for. Hope you have a Very Happy Thanksgiving.

Love, Cindy

Here are some pics of pre thanksgiving week...
On Friday the 16th...me and Theresa attempted roll making.

At first..not looking good. Although it looked like an excellent science project. Brains, anyone?  ;)

Our finised product. The ones on the left we got lazy and just cut with a pizza cutter. They were good! And they didn't land with a thud.

I brined my first "Hollywood Turkey"...thank you Pioneer Woman. It was fantastic.

Lilly made it out of her bed for dinner at the table. A true miracle of Thanksgiving. :)