Counting Blessings, Giving Thanks

It's that time of year where we look around and give thanks for our blessings... and I have many this year.

I'm reading Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's "Half the Sky," and each chapter makes me realize even more how blessed my life has been.  So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are a couple of things I'm giving thanks for this year.

Image by Road Fun

• My family, friends and loved ones, of course
• You, who are reading this
• My husband, who is the picture of a good man
• My parents, for valuing my life, unlike millions of girls all over the world
• My education, literacy and the opportunities it has granted me
• My job, during a time when many are searching for one, and that it allows me to use my brain rather than my body
• The amount of awareness that came out in 2009 about human/child sex trafficking, in the U.S. and around the world
• The April Love146 partner trip I took this year, which I think about every single day
• Clean water that comes in different temperatures and is easily accessible, and indoor plumbing
• All the food I'm going to eat tomorrow, and the fact that I have never felt true hunger in my life
• Medical care and vaccinations, and the health insurance to pay for it
• A safe place to live, and the privacy and peace of mind that comes along with it
• The opportunities my future children will have simply based on the place they are born

This doesn't even begin to cover it; but I hope this small list helps you to celebrate a few of the blessings in your life this year, too.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!