Qotd: What, from this year, do you feel most grateful for? (11/5)

[Saar]

What, from this year, do you feel most grateful for?
It can be an event, a person, an object... everything counts.

[KingsQueen82]

When I look back on this year I think of all the medical stuff we've went though and while they're all small by comparison to what else is out there in the world, I'm grateful and blessed that we've come through each of them just fine.

First, my oldest had a pallete expander put in last year (for a cross bite and small jaw) and had it taken out this spring. Everything went so beautifully that at this moment she only needs a retainer, not braces. *Fingers crossed that it stays that way! Braces are expensive!*

We also learned this summer that she has rapidly progressing myopia and at the rate that her eyes are worsening she could be legally blind before high school ends. I cried lot over that but we were able to see a specialist who put her on prescription eye drops to slow the rate of progression. As long as she continues those drops every night for the next 5 ish years it is likely to reduce the change by 50%. I'm thankful that we live in place where access to care is readily available and that such treatment exists and is affordable.

I am blessed that my other daughter is okay after receiving a concussion at school (little boy hit her in the head with a rock) and she did not need stitches and has healed nicely.

And finally, I'm thankful for my kitty and the medical hurdles we've overcome/are overcoming with him. I adopted him over 12 years ago when he was around 3 1/2 so he is pushing 16 now. He'd been slowing down, not grooming himself and had lost a lot of weight. I thought he had kidney failure and was dying but it turns out he has diabetes. Not something I'd ever want for him but in this case I was so relieved because it's treatable. It's been a rollercoaster ride for the past 2+ months learning how to test and monitor his blood glucose levels, how and when to administer his insulin, changing his diet and continually adjusting his dosage as his pancreas heals itself but we're finally becoming stable and he's happy, healthy and playing like a kitten again. My cat is like another child to me so this makes my heart so very happy!

There are other smaller things too but these are the biggest, most obvious ways that I know we're blessed and being watched over! <3

[clearskies]

Surviving cancer.

[AmieN1]

I was going to say Health- as we had a rough year in 2016- BUT... the hubby just sent me a pic & message from hockey tonight- Broke his ankle. Ugh. Part of me is upset- as he broke his foot last year & maybe just maybe shouldn't play anymore since he's 'old' and feeble!

[nietis]

I am thankful for the good school that we can enrol our son into as well as the support & financial help we get from my parents-in-law to be able to provide a good education from him.
I am thankful the hurdles we face together as a family. Yes, they are tough to face, but, they brought us closer and stronger than ever as a family.

[jacinda]

Oh my goodness, you ladies have had a tough year! Hugs to you all.

The thing I'm most grateful for this year, is that my oldest girl has had a great first year at college. I was so worried she'd be bullied, or not like it, but she has flourished and has found good friends, and I am so relieved.

I'm also grateful that even though he's only half way through his deployment, my husband has been safe so far.

[Saar]

I agree with Jacinda! Life hasn't been easy on your ladies. But you are all strong women.

[LeeAndra]

I am most grateful this year for my relationship with my sister. We were not close at all & then I moved back to our hometown a couple of years ago which helped to get more face time & she went through a huge personal crisis at the beginning of this year that she leaned on me a lot for emotionally. I wouldn't say we're BFF but we're much closer than we've ever been & in a good place.

[jaye]

I am thankful that while I am having some health issues, another 'thing wrong' with me, the cancer coming back isn't one of them.

My family, I am so lucky to count my brother as one of my best friends. We are a very small family but we are close.

My dog Harlow, she has been such a bright spot for me and my struggles. If only as humans we could be as nonjudgemental, loving and kind as they are.

The bucket list trip to Ireland I took in July. I planned and saved for a year, took a leap and travelled solo. Not only was it incredible in terms of beauty but it was soul searching for me.

[tammybean04]

I am grateful for my oldest starting college in August. This is something I never thought I would see. He's been diagnosed on the Spectrum and we struggled so hard through school. So much so we pulled him from public to be homeschooled, and then he dropped out in 10th grade. His Asperger's can be really bad. But he went and got his GED and is now sitting in college doing an amazing job.

[jaye]

Originally Posted by tammybean04

I am grateful for my oldest starting college in August. This is something I never thought I would see. He's been diagnosed on the Spectrum and we struggled so hard through school. So much so we pulled him from public to be homeschooled, and then he dropped out in 10th grade. His Asperger's can be really bad. But he went and got his GED and is now sitting in college doing an amazing job.

Yay for him!! Love hearing stories where children find another pathway, take it and flourish.
One of my students is in grade 12 this year but we added in spares to reduce his stress, he will be attending a fifth year and college is on the horizon for him. A different look from when he arrived in grade 9

[mrsashbaugh]

I'm super thankful for my mom helping us out by paying for my kids to take swim lessons. I have felt like a big failure with not having my son (age 8) be able to swim, especially with us living in Arizona where there are pools everywhere. My son and daughter have been doing really well with their lessons. My son can pretty much swim now and go underwater and so can my daughter (age 5). They aren't strong swimmers yet, but they are getting there and I'm just so thankful for that!

[JennNtheBoys]

This year I am most grateful for the time I hvae been able to spend with the people that mean the most to me. We haven't been able to get out a lot due to not having a vehicle, this year has been a lot better now tat we have one. My father in law has been sick for years, and currently things are not looking good and we are taking things one day at a time, we've been able to visit more and spend more time with him and it feels good. I wish the visits were able to happen more often before things got so bad, but right now I'll take what I can get. I lost my Dad almost 13 years ago, so I know what my husband is in for when the inevitable happens... his Dad has also been the only 'father' I've had my entire adult life, so I know it's gonna hit me harder than I think..... so yea, time...... I am thankful for the time we've all been given.