THANKFUL THURSDAY - Choices

I am in the midst of personal choices, educational choices, family choices, financial choices, choices, choices, choices... I can go on and on but I'm sure you get the picture. Here's the thing, choices are GOOD even when they're hard or when you don't know the right thing to do. Here are a few of the choices I'm thankful I have right now:

[1] I'm thankful that we, my siblings and I, have choices as to how best to proceed with my Dad. We still have choices. He's still here, with us, and there are options as to how best to care for him. How best to help him live out the rest of his days most happily. He's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and though it's progressing quickly and steadily, there's still time and there are still choices. I'm so grateful for this fact. It makes this whole situation much easier... for me.

[2] I'm grateful to have educational choices for 2 of my beautiful children who happened to have been blessed with an extra 21st chromosome (aka Down syndrome). My amazing little boys need more. They need different. They need unique options and out-of-the-box solutions. And I have those options and will come up with those solutions as the issues present themselves. Sure, I might have to fight to exercise some of those options but they're there if I want them for my boys. The fight is just part of the choosing process.

[3] I am grateful today for the choice of NOT exercising. Mind you, I know I have that choice every day. And, unfortunately, I choose NOT to all too often to attend to everything and anything else but my physical self. But today, I really didn't WANT to exercise. I don't know why. I had the time and chose to be here instead.... blogging. I needed to get some stuff out that needed getting out. The rest of the day is going to be a crazy with schedules and baths and I have the transition to kindergarten meeting offered by the boys' school. I needed some quiet time... so I CHOSE to take it.

[4] I am thankful I have so many income/employment options. I know in this economy that's a tough statement but I know KNOW K.N.O.W! that I have options for making money and I have the option of not being employed (by my self or anyone else) right now. I have a little time and a few options I'm investigating. Trick is not to investigate myself into complacency and inaction. Fear of the unknown has a way of doing that to me. I'm thinking there are folks who know me who probably wouldn't believe that statement but, with my plate full of other important things.... choices with regards to what, how and when I rejoin the working world is critical to my sanity. I'm looking. It's coming. But it's the choice that's allowing me to breath easier about the whole thing.

[5] Choices are nice... and are always there. Some don't think so. But even choosing to do nothing is a choice. I'm so glad I realize, feel and KNOW that I have choices. There were tough times in my life when I felt bereft of choices... they were there I just couldn't always see them. I'm glad to be in a place where I have choices aplenty... and they are my friends, helping me to live my life as I choose. There are so many who do not know or feel as though they have choices. (I know, as I said, I've been there in my life.) I wish them all choices that they can see and act upon with open hearts and open minds. I LOVE my choices!

Time to go get the kids. MY CHOICE! And since I chose to have these 3 angels God lent me and I choose every day how best to care for them which includes choosing not to put such beautiful little guys on the bus but rather to drive them each and every day for their safety and our combined fun. That reminds me: it is key to occasionally remind myself how and why I made my choices so I can go on accepting and embracing the choices I've made.