Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

[Quiescent]

I named the thread Thankful Thursday because I am very thankful for the many wonderful things in my life.

Most times this alcohol stuff is all consuming and I loose sight of the really wonderful things in my life.

Today I am so thankful for:

Knowing God
My wonderful husband
The health of my family
That I don't have to worry about being cold or hungry
For my friends here at MWO
I will have a thankful heart today

Love Ya,
Rachele

[InnerStrength]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Thats a great way to start off this thread rachele - thanks!
I am thankful for having health, a good family - really good family who seem to love me unconditionally.
A great husband who, despite pissing me off regularly, is really a decent man who really loves me very much.

Jen

[lushy]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Morning!!! I am thankful that Rachele was kind enough to pass along her beautiful avatar to me.

I am thankful for good health and my family and for having found MWO.

Why is it so quiet around here today? Beaches and Paula, both of you have a great time on your trips, okay? Please be safe.

Love to the rest of the muffs this morning..........

[dilayne]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Mornin' Rachele, thanks for starting this.

I'm thankful for:
My husband who is God's way of pruning and forging me into a loving and humble human being.
My healthy children and grandchildren who give me a reason for being.
A God given desire to be united with the creator and to be used for a greater purpose than my own little egos.
The capacity for vision, insight, love and hope...and maybe one day peace.
The ability to create..to make art..to communicate through my hands.
Freedom to choose.
A good enough job, home, car..the basic necesseties and a growing gratitude for the simplest of things.
Really good health.
A few good friends that I can always call, even though I often don't..if I were ever to need anything.
Many sisters.
A God sent spiritual advisor, teacher, counselor and therapist who has walked next to me through the darkest hours in order to truly see some light.
Hope, faith and Love

[MKR]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Every day is a good day, to do something you've never done before.
Especially when you dream of living, like you've never lived before.
Prepare thy way,
**** The Universe
________________________
So very thankful for sons who share such a great connection with me and each other. They are so busy blazing their own trails, yet take the time to check in and be there . . . like reading my mind . . when I need some kid laughs and joy in my life!
I am thankful I still have my parents in semi OK health, they are really special, for my fellow MWO's here, caring and sharing and for all my other friends. I am happy I have such an interesting, creatively manic career.

Rachele, it is great to see you back in the swing. Thanks for the start today!

Fan, understand on the kids, being a parent is the coolest thing I have ever done. Also understand the payday thing. Just four and half more years for me and the youngest will be finished, and I may even have some "mad" money then!

Jen, I LOVE House . . . you are right. . . I get such a kick out of him and understand him so well! You can do this, even if you keep feeling it is super difficult you are so strong I have faith in you!

Yes Lush, at first I thought you were Rachele, so much for paying attention eh?!! Hope you are having a great day and yesterday's surprise was better than some old beach house wrapped up!!

Dilayne, good to see you over here. Read yesterdays post and hey, hope you had a great time last night!

Gotta run because it is just another manic Thursday?!!
Hugs and Love to all including those to come later today,
Mary

[Saint Jude]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Indeed a great post to start us out with today...:flower:
Thanks Rachele.
I'm grateful for waking up & feeling like my old self again! No Topa & no headache!!
Jen i love your post! I echo that on having a loving Hubby who can totally piss me off, but still so darn LOVABLE, decent , caring,considerate... well, not's lets get carried away...
my health
my many wonderful friends, & Family here, and everywhere...
my Freedom, and my ability to be able to have & make choices...although they're not always right....
HUMOR!:H
And being blessed to live in a beautiful place...
And of course, my doggie!
and the opportunity to be of help...when asked.:h
Hugs, Judie

[lushy]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Awww Fan, I am glad you decided to open up a bit. I feel for you every time you mention your kids because I know you desperately want to be with them on a full-time basis. I know your situation is not ideal and you feel responsible for that. I really wish I had something profound to say but I don't. All I know is you are one of the best dads I have ever heard of and I know your children know that and feel that.

You do strike me as the type that keeps your feeling close to the vest and, as you know, that can be a very unhealthy way to live. I don't know if just talking about things more, to us or to a close friend or even a therapist, might alleviate some of this or not, but it could be a good start. Sometimes living within our own heads can be a very dangerous thing.

I am sending you a lot of love and hugs and support as that is all I can really do. You brighten my day every day. :l

[MKR]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Mike, I am so sorry to hear you feel down. Yes, you would still be thankful, seamlessly pulling off perfection . . . Lush is right, let go of the bottled up feelings, here or with a trusted friend and /or therapist - get it out.

It hurts so much right now, your kids will however see how far you have come and know that you will be there for them individually and as a group for all time. You are that kind of a dad. That is just the way it is. As they grow older they will see the perfect role model is not perfect . . . no one is. . . . and well there is this part . . . he is not their dad, no matter what. . . he just isn't. Even if you are seeing them part time, trust that they know and feel your love . . .unconditionally.

:l Mary

YES you brighten my day everyday I am here also!

[Saint Jude]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Fan, I'm so sorry to hear you feeling down.
You always bring so much light & wisdom the these boards...:heart:
I echo Lush in believing that living in our heads can be a very dangeruos place to be... I know it is for me.
Wish I had some profound words of wisdom... but I don't. Just know that you are loved, more than you realize....
I'll save some room on my dance card for when you're ready...:danthin:
I kinda envy you're kids having such a caring and attentive Dad. We didn't all get to enjoy that growing up. I'm sure they must love you beyond belief.

To borrow a quote from the "universe" from the other day...

"Think that the reasons that elude you will one day catch up, that the lessons that have stumped you will one day bring you joy, and the sorrows that have crippled you will soon give you wings."
Think that you're important, that you cannot fail, and that happiness always returns..."

:l :whee: Great big Hugs...
Judie

[dilayne]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Mike, this is for you from Dark Nights of the Soul: A Guide to Finding Your Way Through Lifes Ordeals, Thomas Moore

"...A dark night may appear, paradoxically, as a way to return to living. It pares life down to its essentials and helps you get a new start.
Here I want to explore positive contributions of your dark nights, painful though they may be. I don't want to romanticize them or deny their dangers. I don't even want to suggest that you can always get through them. But I do see them as opportunities to be transformed from within, in ways you could never imagine. A dark night is like Dante getting sleepy, wandering from his path, mindlessly slipping into a cave. It is like Alice looking at the mirror and then going through it. It is like Odysseus being tossed by stormy waves and Tristan adrift without an oar. You don't choose a dark night for yourself. It is given to you. Your job is to get close to it and sift it for its gold." Thomas Moore

Mike, you are an amazing man and I guess, transitioning into a new and better life...afterall, you have definitely, 'been there, done that'...there is no turning back now!
Love and Hugs,
Dianne

[InnerStrength]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

God Mike, if i ever thought my dad felt the way you feel, I would die.
My dad has never been perfect - never. But did I ever love him less? Never.
Have I always felt comfortable about talking to him about everything? Nope. He still talks to my mom about how upset he is because I don't talk to him about my drinking or a lot of other things in my life. In truth, it's because I don't want to worry or upset him etc. or disappoint him. So have I always felt 100% "comfortable" with him? No. Has my dad made mistakes? Has he maybe pressured me too much? Put unrealistic expectations on me? Made me feel worthless (unintentionally)? Sure.
But would I EVER trade him in? NO!
My mom and dad could have gotten divorced. My mom could have married or dated someone else. He could have been kind, gentle, "perfect". I could have grown to like, even love him. But he NEVER would have been my Dad. There is NO replacement for your dad. Ever.
So, Mike, while I can't possibly understand exactly how you feel - I can emphasize. And I KNOW - I KNOW as deeply as a person can know, as a child can know, that your children will never stop loving you as their father. You are their father. You always will be. You cannot and will not be replaced. Thank you for opening yourself to us. YOu are such a special person and your children are so lucky. I hope they pick up even an ounce of your wisdom, kindness and generosity of spirit.
Love Jen

[SKendall]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Hi Mike, sorry that you're a bit down. You are an extraordinary father and if you brighten my day here every day I can only imagine the loving impact you have on your children.

The kids will never mistake your exes boyfriend for father, kids are so smart and they kknow the difference. In fact, I'll bet they'd think you were crazy - no, mis-informed for you thinking such a thing.

We all adore you and I hope you release these bottled up feelings to someone you can trust - like your friends here.

In the meantime, sending love and hugs:h

[Accountable for Me]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Mike - :l :l :l

I am sorry for your pain. Our children are our everything - they give us good reason to want to be well.
No matter what seems to be happening in the present they will always love you unconditionally. You are their father who loves them unconditionally as well. Hold on to that. Keep focused and find the strength that I know you have within you to fight through this emotional upheaval. Be kind to yourself and be well.

[Mighty Mouse II]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Imagine, thank you for this thread!!! I think it was a wonderful "healing" element -- to force us to stop to think what we have -- where we need to go!!! Deep thoughts generate energy in forward thrust!!

Mike, thank you for sharing. I know how difficult it is for someone like you, who is everyone's hero, to let us see your vulnerability -- "Ich bin ja schliesslich auch nur ein Mensch" (after all, I'm only a man) -- now that is bravery!!!. But you know, by sharing your pain, by showing your "human side", we all grow; and you know, you can do no wrong in our eyes. You are an incredible man, a wonderful person. I think that you are in transition, which is never comfortable for one who strives to make everyday count. It is unfair that the accomplished person in the relationship is often left paying the price tag for those who supported us in the upward momentum -- an inexplicable inequality. But it is so clear that you are a person who has so much to give, you are just in quiet reprieve, until you sink your teeth in to your next vision, your next dream, you next contribution to yourself, your loved ones (including us) and the world.

In all your agony, never forget your greatness -- your vision -- who you are!!!

Your friend,
MM -- you are certainly my hero -- you walk the walk, you talk the talk -- you are saving the world one minute at a time -- one person at a time -- we all look up to you!!! You earned that!!

[Mary Anne]

Thankful Thursday 2/15/2007

Mike

Mike, sorry you are feeling down also, and like everyone else says, you must be the BEST father!!! I wish I as one of your kids, like Jenneh, I could NEVER talk to my dad about anything..........now he has passed and I have such deep rooted horrible feelings of guilt about all that stuff. Just try to get through the day. We all love you here, I am sittiing here crying now,cuz I touched on some feelings I have burried for so long about my dad....

Feel better

Love and hugs always:h :l

Di, Judie, Lush, Imagine, Jenneh, Mary MM, Allie and everyone else, I love you all too.....you are like family:h