A Week of Thankfulness- Family

Here it is, Thanksgiving week. Through all the hustle and bustle of the beginning of the holiday season, the extended family time (OMG), the food (and the calories) we are supposed to take some time and reflect on the things in our lives that we are thankful for. During times like these, with the majority of us feeling the grip of a dying economy and mourning the loss of jobs and lifestyles that we have become accustomed to, it is hard to see, through the daily grips, what we have that makes waking up and getting out of bed every morning worth it. Well, it is hard for me sometimes. With the last two years of questionable employment, no health insurance and just plain doing shit that I was not interested in so that I could pay minimum amounts on bills, I can tell you- I have had several days when I did not want to get out of bed. Days when I didn't want to shower, cook or feed the dogs. I just wanted to... wallow.
There are very few things that have gotten me out of that self induced state of depression. I can tell you, blog readers, I have had my fair share of "debbie downer" days and there is a very short list of things that put me back into the right state of mind. Those are the things that I am SO thankful for. So for the next week, I will be posting what those things are- celebrating the theme for the season. There might be some other posts in there, but for sure, one per day, you will get something that I am grateful for. So here we go...

Today (and every day) I am thankful for: my family.

Everyone says that, huh? Well, let me tell you... the Moximillion clan is ever expanding and hard to get along with. There are days when I want to slap the shit out of my sister... oh, believe me, she feels the same about me. My brothers (three of whom are teenagers) do things that make me furrow my brows and give them a "what the hell is wrong with you?!?!" look... and the parents? Well, Momma Moximillion is a saint and usually knows the right thing to say (OR will repeat the right thing that I need her to say...with a little prodding)!! But Daddy Moximillion? He is a trip!! Just typing that, and remembering some of the arguments that we have had made me smile. We are a volatile bunch, to say the least.

HOWEVER, when times are tough and you need something, we are a group of loving people. Nothing and nobody is higher than family. We are each other's refuge. I can call my mom, crying (done it- several times... yes, I cry) and she will gently remind me that she can't understand me when I am sobbing and *maybe* I can call her back after I go splash some cold water on my face and calm down. See, how nice is that? I can call my sister and tell her about somebody who did something mean to me (this happens very infrequently...) and she will ALWAYS be down for calling them and giving them the most profanity-laced talk of their life! Dad is in a class all by himself! He is such a stand up guy (and because of that, I know my brothers will be too). No matter how many times we get into disagreements about life, politics, who I am dating, why I don't have a job, why I am not married, if college was worth it (I say YES), whatever it is, he is a great example of how a man should love and provide for his family. My future husband WILL have the characteristics of my father, no doubt.

Are we happily dysfunctional- yes. Whatever, it is our thing! But we love each other and you will probably not find a group of 13 (counting all the babies) people willing to put every thing on the line for one of another. So on this first day of my week of Thankfulness, I am eternally grateful for being a member of this ever growing, happily dysfunctional, crazy ball of familial energy. I was born lucky... some people only wish for a family like mine. :)