Christmas is exactly 3 weeks away. With the holidays and the end of the year (for me) usually comes a little reflection on the year and all that has happened and this year is no different. I’ve had some time to think this weekend and quite honestly I find myself feeling more thankful than usual for where I am and what I have.

This past year has brought (in some cases) severe illness to a couple family members and the new year will begin without a resolution to those issues. A couple other loved one’s have had health scares that have thankfully turned out to be nothing. For whatever reason I’ve also noticed people around me more who are suffering physically either from paralysis or other debilitating diseases and I’ve found myself trying to put myself in their shoes and trying to imagine what it would be like to live in that alternate reality. Even thinking about it is harsh, let alone living it. 

Most importantly I’m thankful to have 3 healthy kids, none of whom have suffered more than a cold in recent memory. It’s unimaginable to me what parents go through when their children are diagnosed with a serious illness or worse. I believe more than anything I’m genuinely thankful that my kids are healthy (a sentiment I’m sure most parents would agree on).

Of course I’m also thankful to have a job (or 2) and to be able to live a decent life and to provide a decent life for my kids, I’ll well aware that an increasing number of people aren’t so fortunate. 

I’m writing this today because I’m really feeling it this year – perhaps because of my 40th birthday on the horizon or perhaps because of the benefit of another year on mother earth, but this year seems to feel different. I’d like to think I’ve always appreciated where I am and what I have, but this year I’m feeling it more deeply and more often. 

At this time of year we hear lots of people say they are thankful and grateful for that they have, but I often question if that’s true or if it’s just another cliche. Do people really appreciate their kids health? Do people really appreciate their own health or do we simply take things for granted until some unfortunate event shakes us out of our complacent attitude?