Gratitude

So many people in my life have impacted how I view my experiences. I have a sister who hasn't slept a full night since her boy was diagnosed with diabetes at 8 months....I know that one day I will have a full nights sleep and that getting up every night right now is temporary.  I have an uncle who has just moved into assisted living but is otherwise living alone.....I know that one day all the chaos of my house, all the messes, noise and unending chores, will someday stop and that I too may one day be alone.
My dad has had some health issues recently and I know that my body is healthy and I am grateful to be able to still do the things that I enjoy.
One of the things that I love the most about Jenny and my dad is not watching them deal with their new challenges, but watching and learning from their attitudes. Not only are they figuring out how to have success but they have such positive outlooks that it makes me feel silly to even complain about my little troubles. The Lord has blessed me so abundantly that I feel ashamed thinking of my life as hard. I have the necessities of life and then some. I have food, shelter, family, friends, health (physical and mental), the gospel, safety, a great community with beautiful weather and numerous fun and challenging activities for me and my family. I have much and give when and where I can, and although I feel it is minimal, it is what I can do right now.
My work is endless, my nights are too short and my days shorter....where do they all go?  I am grateful to be able to do the work set before me.  These are my choices, this is my family, this is where I want to be and what I want to be doing when I look at the big picture.  The moments that make my life meaningful are small and treasured.  Yet these fleeting moments that pass by during the doing of the days are what make my life full and complete.  The giggle, smile, hug, kiss, remembering responsibilities, saying thank yous, hearing my children playing together in one of Meg's elaborate story lines, snuggling, playing, eating together, listening and story times.
These are all small moments and yet they are building my life and my family's life second by second and moment by moment.  Although I am stretched beyond my limits and oft times uncomfortable and pressed, I know what I do is special and unique and fleeting.  How wonderful and special are these little people who have taken over my life and heart!  I want to know that I enjoyed the moments...all of them....the happy and the frustrating, knowing that our heart has a way of forgetting the hard times and preserves the happy moments to be treasured always.
I am so grateful for my family.