On Day 2 of the Gratitude Challenge I have been given the task of using the alphabet as a means to remind myself of things I am grateful for. I tried to use the first thing that came to mind and it is funny some of the things that I came up with for the tougher letters: x-factor, zest, outdoors. But this got me thinking further about what I am grateful for and I willl share a few things.
I am most grateful for my family. They have made me the person I am today. My dad always has a vast amount of knowledge and positive outlook on life. This weekend while I was home we discussed health care issues, politics, investments, and more. He always helps me understand tougher concepts and I hold his word with the weight of gold (is that the phrase?). Also, his positive attitude never ceases to amaze me. We were talking about the stock market and I was saying how many people weren’t able to retire because of the dip in the market and I realized.. wait?! what about you, dad? He responded that if you enjoy what you’re doing and that you are still able to work, why stop? It made me realize how positive he is and that finding something you love to do as an occupation is key in life. His positive outlook was definitely passed on from my grandma who always saw the glass half full. ALWAYS. I really hope to be like her. My mom I was not always so grateful for. As most mother-daughter combos we had our spats when I was growing up. But, in the past 6 years I have realized how much she has done for me. When I think about what goes into raising a child and think about those less fortunate I am really reminded of her great strength and love as a mother. She made so many things possible for me and still gives me great advice. I hope that I can be half as good of a mother as her. My sister is an absolute blessing. We are different in many ways and are separated by 7 years, but are inseparable when we are together. Our unconditional love never ceases to amaze me and I am so lucky to have her as my sister.
One last person I would like to mention is my best friend and college roommate, Brooke. It is amazing how things fall into place. I met her at our college orientation and thank goodness she sent me an email asking if I would like to be roommates. What a blessing! I am so grateful for our freshman year where we spent weekends watching movie marathons and taking taxi cabs to the mall to spend our savings at the Gap. During the first half of our sophomore year we were at odds and I am even grateful for that. We were able to find our way out of it and now know that we will be friends for life. Even though she is across the country (NY) I am grateful that I have been able to visit her so often and for the adventures that we have had together since graduation.
Other things that I am grateful for include my freedom, my education, tennis and other passions.
BTW - I am such a SAP! 
