30 Days of Gratitude

"Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continually. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include ALL things in your gratitude." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love, love, love November. It rounds up the end of Fall and is the middle of my favorite time of year. I love the Thanksgiving holiday-I love the power that it can have upon our hearts and minds. I think of the amazing opportunity that this month gives me personally, to prepare better for December. People often mistake my desire for keeping Thanksgiving and Christmas separate-but its because they don't understand that I see November as a way to re-evaluate, to re-focus on the important aspects of life, and to really determine what I am grateful for in my life. 

So it begins-my month of gratitude. 30 days of posts that express nothing but gratitude-this is my goal. Hope you can enjoy the thoughts and be motivated to take your own gratitude journey. Cause life is all about those moments! 

DAY 1: BEST, Best Friends

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." -Marcel Proust

I have a lot of really great friends-My life is so full and so blessed because of the many people I have in my life. But today I would like to express my deepest gratitude to these 3 girls. They are truly a blessing from my Father in Heaven. Each has provided such love and support and care and I couldn't ask for a better support system in life. 

                             

                  

1. Heather Anne Ashcroft: my 'childhood' best friend: The girl who shared a bunk with me during our student council retreat, 'stole' my date at my senior prom, wrote me when I moved away for college, tackled me to the ground the first Christmas I came home, took lots of spring break trips with me, put me together when my Grandma died, has loved my family (even at their worst), who has loved me exactly as I am every single day of our friendship. She is the hardest worker I know, she loves fiercely and completely, and she is one heck of a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and most importantly a best friend. 

                   

2. Stephanie Katrina Brooks: my 'college' best friend (aka Steph, Stephy, Juanita Grey): How do you sum up the girl that makes you laugh so hard you split your pants and cry? She's my soul sister-the girl that has always been sweeter then anyone I've ever met. Even at your worst, she kills you with love and sweetness. Unless you open up the wrong door, then out comes Juanita Grey-someone you never want to cross. Anyone who can call this girl 'friend' will have a life full of support and love. Luckily, I get to call her my best friend-and that means I get all that and more. 

3. Jessica Leigh Donbrosky: my 'adult' best friend: its remarkable when you find a friendship in a series of events that defy all reasoning of why you are friends-but such is the case with me-n-Jess. This is my spiritual confidant-the person that stretches me most. I've never been called out so much by a person-someone not family- and still loved them (maybe more intensely) then I do this girl. She is brilliant, talented, stubborn, beautiful, smart, and everything that I hope to emulate someday. Our approach to life is very different but it makes the journey better having someone who looks at things differently. And just when I think that our friendship can't get any stronger-just when I think I've learned all I can learn, we gain even more insight and I cherish her even more. 

I am so very grateful for these 3 beautiful women. For the impact that they have had on my life. For their willingness take me as I am and leave me better then I ever thought I could be.