Gratitude #35 -- End of Year Gratitude

I can't end the year without taking some time to express some Gratitude.

While this has been by far.. the hardest year of my life... it has been FULL of numerous blessings... and I have a very full and Thankful heart as I sit and think about the blessings that have come to pass in 2011.

These are in no particular order of importance... just what comes to my mind first.

(1)

I am Grateful I was able to Serve my Father.

This is without a doubt.. the greatest blessing that came to my life this past year.

To sit by his side and learn from him.

To feel his spirit

To Tend to his needs

To see him smile as I walked in the room.. waiting for me to read Great Grandma Mary's history to him each day.

To lay by him...to hold his hand and tell him how much I love him.

This whole experience changed me.  Refined me.

I went through some of the hardest times I can think of.. watching someone I love so very much.. suffer in pain.  I went into Chemotherapy sessions and hospitals.. ( which are VERY hard for a hypochondriac and a germaphobe. )

I was a Nurse of sorts.

And the experience has made me less "Anal" about things.

I have learned to relax more.

I have learned that I can do more than I thought I was capable of.

I will never forget my precious time with Dad.  Ever.

(2)

I am Grateful for Answered Prayers and Miracles.

While our prayers were not answered for our Father to be healed... our Father in Heaven blessed us in more ways than I can express.

We received a witness that he was needed on the other side.

Cathy and baby Cumorah were healed.

Jeff made it to Utah.. not only to see my Father before he passed... but to be able to serve him as a Nurse and Doctor as well.  To spend some time with him.

Dad was healed enough to give every single one of us a blessing..even little Cumorah.

Dad was able to hold Cumorah.

All of us were able to be with Dad as he passed away.

I will never forget the most sacred and spiritual experiences we all had together -- the weekend before my Fathers passing.  The holiness and peace that surrounded us we will never forget.

It was as if.. we were in the Temple.  It was that holy.

(3)

I am Grateful for Friends and Family

I feel a greater love than I ever have experienced before with the relationships I have with people now.  Words can't express the "deep" love and concern I feel for others.

I feel fortunate to be surrounded by so many Angels.. whom have been close to the spirit.. and helped me and my family in more ways than I even knew we needed help with.

I feel fortunate to have had many heartfelt talks.

To have cried with many of you.

I have been blessed by comforting words through the Internet -- by comments on my blog.. and e-mails.. and letters in the mail.

Friends have cooked many meals and babysat for me so I could tend to Dad.

Friends have prayed for our family... cried with us... and given us hope and strength.

We have felt all of the prayers.

We are... and will always be abundantly grateful.

(4)

I am Grateful for my Husband Chad.

I love Chad more now than I ever thought possible.

He has served my Father, his parents, and my siblings this whole year.

He never complains.

He always shows me love.. and tells me how much he loves me.

He has many of my Dear Fathers qualities... and I thank the Lord that I was blessed enough to have such a man in my life.  Words cannot express my love for him.

(5)

I am Grateful for a Loving Heavenly Father

He loves each of us.

He has given me strength when I have needed to stand.

He has shown me more tender mercies and blessings than I can count.

He is helping me and my Mother and Siblings along this Grieving process.

Everything good comes from him.

I bear witness that he is VERY real.  He knows each of us.. and desires for us to be happy.

He is our Father... and he will never abandon us.

****************

Today I am Grateful for:

A New Year

My Children

Humility

Tender Mercies

That there is ALWAYS, ALWAYS much to be Thankful for.