Welcome 2011

I am anxiously awaiting all that 2011 holds for us.  As for resolutions I think I'm going about it a little differently this year, I'm going to try goals instead.  For me I think they will be easier to obtain - sort of baby steps that I can take throughout the year to better myself rather than having 1 stellar week in early January and then being angry with my self for failing.  My goals are going to have a common theme and that is "Thankfullness"!

There is a local radio personality here that has spoken a few times about how his family went through a time when they were in severe poverty.  They had a roof over their heads but there were nights when all they had to feed their kids was plain dry toast and water.  Throughout this hardship he recalls that he and his wife were determined to not let it take their spirit.  They stayed positive and hopeful and above all else they always stayed thankful for the things that they did have.  Years later, when the hardship was over, they were in a better place and their kids were grown he asked his children what they remember about that time of poverty.  Their answer surprised him.  They didn't remember being broke and going without, what they remembered was that they spent every night together as a family,  and that their mom made really great toast!

When Rett Syndrome entered our lives 4 1/2 years ago so many dreams were shattered, so many hopes for Annie and our entire family were crushed.  Since then we have made new goals and have discovered exactly what matters in life.  Rett Syndrome has stolen a lot from us, especially from Annie but even with all that has been lost we have always had so much to be thankful for.  I want my kids to realize that as they grow and live not everything will be perfect, things go wrong, hopes and dreams die but new ones take their place.  Above all I want them to know that one of the most important things in life is to be thankful.  If their hearts are thankful happiness is sure to follow.  I pray when my kids are adults and look back on their life growing up that they don't remember rett syndrome and sickness but rather the "toast".  Here's to a wonderful New Year, one full of blessings and miracles, signs and wonders and a new chance to discover all that we have to be thankful for.