Thanksgiving

Happy Almost Thanksgiving, friends! Rather than write a DIY project post today, I decided to write more from the heart – about this Thanksgiving and for what I am grateful. DIY returns next week, I promise.

My Thanksgiving holiday essentially started last Friday, when the kids got home from school. We packed up the car and headed to Greenville, SC, for M’s soccer tournament. This was her team’s first tournament out of town, and they were all so excited.

Packed up and ready to play!

Since this isn’t a post about soccer, I will cut right to the chase: the girls came in second place in the tournament.

But, really, to say that does not give you any indication of what really happened.

The final game – like the other games – was a hard-fought game. And, at the end of regulation, the score was tied. At the end of two five-minute extra periods, the score was tied. And that meant penalty kicks were next.

Did I mention that M is the goalie? Right.

At the end of five penalty kicks, the score was still tied. And that left the goalies to do their kicks.

We came in second, but not really. In fact, these girls won in so many ways. They showed toughness and fierceness, but also kindness and understanding. They supported each other and they were good sports to the other team. And they had a blast the whole weekend.

And what am I thankful for in all that?

For my soccer family, who was so fun to hang out with, and supportive when I was a nervous wreck and when M came off the field. For M’s coach and teammates who cheered for M in goal through saves and misses and gave her a huge hug after the game.

For M’s spirit – tough, fierce, determined.  I think about what she has gone through over the last year and where she is now and I am awed by her spirit.

M and I were talking about the weekend and I was saying to her that it takes a special kind of person to play goalie – a goalie has to be tough and fierce. She said that she’s fearless in goal because of her shots. She says that the Humira shots that she takes every other week for Crohn’s Disease hurt worse than anything she’s done as goalie, so she doesn’t have any fear when playing goalie. This both broke my heart and made me feel proud, all at the same time. That’s a lot of perspective for a nine-year-old.

I have so much to be thankful for this year: for M’s indomitable spirit, kindness, and sense of humor; for D, who is smart, funny, and has such a kind and open heart; for Dear Husband, who puts up with my quirks and loves me for who I am; for my brother, who always makes me laugh; for my mom, who raised me right; for my sweet, devilish doggies, who still don’t eat pizza; for my awesome friends; for my beautiful, old, creaky home, which provides us with shelter but also provides me with inspiration and opportunities (i.e., projects!); for sunrises and sunsets; for good books; for paint in every color; for power tools; for recycling and upcycling; for the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and everyone there who supports and encourages me; for Mohawk and Brenda, who were fans of my blog before I knew I had fans; for this crazy project I call my blog…

And for you, awesome readers! Thank you for reading and supporting my blog. I wouldn’t be here without you. And I wouldn’t have won this:

Thank you for voting for Dogs Don’t Eat Pizza and for continuing to support me and my blog!

Have a restful, peaceful, happy Thanksgiving, friends. We have so much for which to be grateful.