Being grateful

 
"I wish I could leave a trail of gratefulness behind
me that you could see, glowing thanks."
- Author: True to Form by Elizabeth Berg

When was the last time you said thank you? Thank you for every small thing in your life? We get so busy that so many things go unnoticed. This I ask of you today: turn around and remember where you come from and what things came along your path for which you should be grateful.

My life is great. I'm very fortunate to have a wonderful husband and have the choice to be part of my son's growing years every day. So many moms long to be there, but do not have the means. But this I should say, the real thing to be grateful for is having a child in your life and to be called "Mom". Needing to work or not.

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things."

Another little miracle that filled all of our hearts with gratefulness for his existence is Zephan.
On 13 August 2009 he was born 5 weeks pre-mature. Zephan only weigh 2.28kg and were just over a week in ICU. This was a difficult time for Jaco, Marcelle and all the family. But he was more than a fighter. Zephan is a precious gemstone. Hard rock diamond. One of a kind.
Since he came out of the hospital he amazed everybody with his WILL. Today, 4 months old already, you will never say this friendly little baby boy was born pre-mature.

Zephan in ICU the day of birth.

Zephan and Mommy (Marcelle) at 4 months.

We are grateful to have him as part of our life. To Erik he is still only "Baba", but soon this 2 cousins are going to run together, play and fill our homes with their laughter. A small thing for which we should be thankful, a large piece of our lives - family.

Erik and Zephan December at Ebenezer Dam

That's also one of the reasons why every year the 'Geyers' have a "manne naweek" at Oom Josef's (Joe) farm first thing in the New Year. As from last year the 'Geyer vroue' also started to make use of this weekend to take the time and just "kuier". A nice family time before we all get busy with our work. So this coming weekend we all will travel to Naboomspruit. Uncles, aunts, cousins, grandma's, grandpa's and grandchildren....

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
- Author: Melody Beattie

Tell your love ones what they mean in your life. Hold your child to your heart.

Be grateful.