Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @
http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com
... a little more about my life as a photographer...
It's been so inspirational to see each day a new thing listed on so many of my facebook friends pages...each day a mention of something they are thankful for. My approach will be a little different, as I will just put it all together in a blog... 24 days of thankfulness.
- Life. Very simply, I am thankful for my life.
- My Savior. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without Jesus Christ as my Savior. I do imagine it would be with a lot less Joy.
- My firstborn. Life changed beyond measure when he entered my life over 24 years ago... and through the tough days and the joys, I would never want to imagine my life without him in it. {I have to add kind of an addendum to this because it seems most appropriate. I am very thankful for my son's fiancee. She's so sweet and kind... and she loves my son with all her heart. I look forward to having her as my daughter and embracing all that she brings to my family!}
- My middle child. I started planning for the thought of him while still in the hospital with my first child. I even had his name picked out before leaving to take baby #1 home! And he has been the most loving and sweet child any mother could ask for... I love him dearly.
- My baby girl. Talk about perfect. All I ever wanted was to be a mother... but to get the most beautiful little girl - JUST NO WORDS! She's my heartbeat, my sunshine, my smile.
- My home. I take it all for granted, but when people come to my home they always feel warm and welcome - and I'm thankful that I can share that with anyone in my life.
- Miles. He's a pain most days, his breath is unbelievably bad - but he's the sweetest and cutest labradoodle in the world. Don't know what I'll do when he's no longer a part of my world!
- My Mom. Through thick or thin - my Mom has been by my side. We are alike in many ways - but different in even more ways. But I like to think that my strengths are things she helped strengthen in me. Simply - I love her with all my heart.
- Forgiveness. I cannot imagine what life would be like if I could not be forgiven for the many wrongs I've done... but also if I couldn't forgive others for things they've done wrong against me.
- Dreams. So many of my dreams have come true - and even more of them have not. But I can still have my dreams - and the hope that one day I'll see more of them materialized.
- Hope. What in the world would life be about if there wasn't hope for a better day. Even on the most perfect day I can have hope for another one.
- Health. I have so many quirky health issues, but otherwise I am healthy! And for that, I am so thankful!
- Friendship. I'm kind of a loner. I do spend more time on my own than with others. But I love my friends, and I'm always there for them if they need me. The hardest thing I've ever had to do was make a decision to walk away from a friendship - and that's only happened a handful of times in my life. But even then I know I'm doing it because it's the right thing for the other person as well as for myself.
- Boundaries. Took me about 40 years to learn how to set them and respect them for what they are. I am now all about boundaries: personal, business, etc.
- The Sea. I spend as much time as possible near the sea. I feel closer to God when I am there... hearing the waves, watching them come closer in to the shore but stop at just the right place. So peaceful seeing with my eyes a small glimpse of just how much power God has by watching the sea.
- Music. It soothes me, invigorates me, motivates me... it makes me laugh, sing, cry, think.
- Talent. God does give us each talent... and many times we want to pick what we want our talent to be. But that's not how it works. I am thankful for the talents God has given me... and I work to do the best that I can with them.
- Counseling. I can't count how many times through my life I've needed someone to be there for me... to help me deal with a situation or a hurt in my life. And whether it's been a friend - or even a certified counselor - I am thankful that people are there to help. I've learned to never be afraid to ask for help when I need it.
- Our country. There are many things I DON'T like about the way things have changed in our country. And there are directions we are headed that frighten me. But overall, I do believe this is the greatest country. We have freedoms that some places may never know... and I am so thankful for that.
- The special people in my life. I cannot sing their praises enough. My Grandmother would have to be my #1. She held the key to my heart when I was growing up - and I think I'm most like her as a grown up. I miss her presence in my life so much since she's been gone, but I do find peace knowing that I'll see her again one day. But there are other special people in my life, and they each hold such a dear place. I simply cannot imagine who or where I would be without them!!
- The internet. It's amazing all of the changes in the world since the time when I was a child. There were so many awesome things then that I do miss now, and with the age of the internet there have been a lot of really bad things. The availability of so many dangerous things that can ruin lives, tear apart marriages, aid in addictions, etc. But there are also many great things that come from it all. The ability to stay in touch with people who are many, many miles away.... the ability to learn about things we might never know about otherwise. Just to name a couple. When my son was in Bahrain a few years ago with the US Navy, I was able to immediately have contact with him - almost daily - because of the internet. And now, with him many states away, I can stay in touch, see pictures, read comments and posts from him. How incredible?! But it's like anything. We have to NOT abuse it for the bad things it can also provide.
- Choices. I have watched over this past year as several people I love dearly have made some very poor choices... and some others have made some awesome choices. We all have choices to make each day, and I'm thankful that we have the free will to choose. But also that we have consequences from the bad choices. Hopefully next year will bring more GOOD choices than bad ones!
- You. It means the world to me that you want to read what I have to say. You give me reason to write again... and desire to share more of myself. Whether you are a friend of many years, a stranger outside of reading my blogs, a client (or potential client)... it doesn't matter. I appreciate you so much - and hope you will continue on this journey with me for a long time to come! .......and please feel free to comment once in a while! :)
- My husband. I mention him last because I am guarded about bringing him into my blogs. But I am very thankful for him.
Thanks for going through this with me... and I would LOVE to hear back from you!! That would be my #25 thing to be thankful for!!
Have a wonderful day - and
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
