There is always, always, always something to be thankful for...

I saw this sign at TJ Maxx the other day and had to buy it.  It's true - there is always, always, always something to be thankful for.  And I'm so thankful for my kids who love me unconditionally and "to the moon and back" (our special saying) and for my friends and family who are helping me get through this tough time.  I move out of our house that we've been in for the last 4 1/2 years into a small apartment in historic Ghent (Norfolk) in 18 days and I'm actually kind of excited about it.  I think the kids will love it - and I am enjoying decluttering my life - just yesterday alone I filled 5 trash bags FULL with just crap we've collected (thrown in the closet, the attic, etc.)  I've got about 10 bags of clothes for goodwill and it's so freeing to be able to get rid of so much and start this new chapter in my life organized like I used to be. 

Anyway, I wanted to say happy Memorial Day to all of the people who have served or are serving to protect my freedom.  I am thankful for each and every one of you.   A few years ago I went to Argonne American Cemetery where our WW1 vets who died in France are buried.  I LOST it when I saw the markers that say "Here rests in honored glory AN AMERICAN SOLDIER known but to God."   

Here are some pictures from a previous blog post I did back in 2008.

http://tramontanamemories.blogspot.com/2008/08/bonjour-last-leg-of-our-trip-paris.html

Love,

Rachel x0x0

"Our tendency can be to dwell on the negative, or to nag about what we do not like. However, this negativity will only strengthen the very actions or behaviors we feel negative about. The best strategy (and a much more pleasant way to live) is to seek out the positive (even when it is hard to see!) and praise it up & down. Think of it this way-whatever we give attention to will grow. " ~ Brooke Noel

This is the only moment you're guaranteed to have ...

Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. - Oprah Winfrey

As our friends and family know Sam and I have separated. It's been the most difficult challenge I've had to face.  Throughout the last few weeks though, I've come to realize - many people are facing much more difficult challenges and I need to be thankful for the things I do have.

Just in the last two weeks at work:
1) A member of my team, Neil,  had an abdominal aortic aneuryism.   He survived but will be in ICU for several more weeks and has a long road to recovery ahead of him.   Coincidentally, he oficially "retired" from our company on May 1st and had started a consulting role with us but just a few weeks later - his life is changed dramatically.

2) Another member of my team at work, a new Business Manager, was having dinner down at the beach by himself on Saturday night near Atlantic/28th street.  As he was walking to the car, he was jumped by four men who beat the CRAP out of him.  They took his cell phone and wallet and as they saw four military heroes who saw what was happening from a few blocks away and started to run toward Bryan to help, they attackers jumped in their van and left Bryan there on the ground, unconcious.  The group of military folks called an ambulance where Bryan was taken to the ICU for observation.  Bryan was still in the hospital on Monday and we are so thankful that the 3 men and 1 woman who serve our country didn't hesitate to come to Bryan's rescue. It could have been so much worse and we're happy that Bryan is coming around and remembering more about what happened.




3) One of the supervisors at our company had a 23 year old daughter.  She was fine, normal and healthy.  However she got very sick and had to go to the hospital on Tuesday.  On Wednesay they diagnosed her with Acute promyelocytic leukemia (AML-M3) and the doctors were going to start Chemo that following Saturday.  She passed away the day after her diagnose, Thursday.  I can't even imagine. 
 
4) A long term employee with MDV, Mike, was responsible for all the HVAC at our company and he had a side business where he helped out any MDV empoyee as much as he could basically for just the cost of parts.  He was just at my house a week ago to fix our AC that had gone out.  He had gone to the gym a week ago came home and said he wasn't feeling good and laid down to take a nap.  He had a massive heart attack and died instantly. 53 years old.  In shape.  No forewarning.   
 
In just one week - this has happened to the people I work with.  I might be stressed about my situation, but I am thankful that I have my health, and that my kids are here with me and healthy. I an thankful that I have a great support of friends and family who have helped me during this time.   But my problems, as big as they are ---- are nothing compared to what these folks have gone through.  I just need to keep reminding myself, as we all should, that tomorrow isn't guaranteed and that we should live today as though it were our last.