Giving thanks.

I remember us a year ago, sitting around our table after spending hours in the kitchen cooking up a feast. We sat there holding hands, giving thanks for a year of health and love.

This year was different. You weren't there with your bright smile and twinkling eyes to tell us through your thick Spanish accent what you were thankful for this year. Though you weren't there, I knew you were there looking over us, your family, being thankful for our health and love.  Of course we all missed you, I know you would have had a blast at Thanksgiving this year with Tom's family, but I still feel like you were there with us.

Though you aren't around to read this, I just wanted to let you know what I am thankful for. I am thankful for you, and all the years that I was able to spend with you. I am thankful that there is so much of you that I see in myself. I am thankful for everything you have taught me, and how you have shaped who I have and will become. I am thankful for your love and memories that help me so much when I am missing you. I am thankful for my wonderful Tom, who has been the best thing in my life since you, dad and Daniel. I am thankful for my Joselito, the rock of our family, for being so strong all these years and especially these past few months. I am thankful for my Dino, my brilliant brother who despite his occasional 'tudes is a really sweet generous guy (like you!). I am thankful for the new extension of our family, for being so welcoming, kind, and making us feel like we were at home. I am thankful for all of my amazing friends, who have been there for me through the great times, and those not so great. I am thankful that you taught me to never take these amazing people in my life for granted, and to always show them how much I love them.