30 Days of Gratitude … Part Two

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” -Marcus Tullius Cicero

Next 15 Days of Gratitude (Go here for the first 15 Days of Gratitude):

November 16th: Kymberlee Simantel … Today I am grateful for YOU and the leap you took 7 years ago. A leap that led to the thriving eWomenNetwork chapter that we all enjoy and benefit from today. That night in July 2007 when I attended my first event, I knew I had arrived home. I’m forever and deeply grateful to you for the space you created, the strength and courage you exhibited, the love shared, the smiles, the DANCING and the WINE!!! Your essence is forever etched into my heart … LOVE you to pieces lady!

November 17th: I’m grateful that people write books, I’m grateful to be able to read books, I’m thankful for the tons of knowledge contained in books, I’m thankful to friends who share great books, and I’m grateful for libraries!

November 18th: 18 … I am grateful for this beautiful number. A number that has led me to the person I am today. A number that has connected me with people all over the World … Austria, Australia, Canada, England, Israel, Italy, Spain, Venezuela and I’m pretty sure just about EVERY state in the United States! Who woulda thought that a little girl born with a piece of the short arm of her Chromosome #18 deleted (18p-), would serve to create such amazing connections that span the globe. I’m grateful for and blessed for all of my C18 family … They inspire me, motivate me, educate me in a way I cannot even describe. This chromosome abnormality adventure would be missing something if they weren’t a part of this journey. I’m grateful to Jannine for having the tenacity and courage to create The Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society over 20 years ago!! I LOVE all Y’all!! If I left out your country and we are C18 “family” let me know!

November 19: I’m grateful for the creative and talented people that create songs into beautiful, passionate, moving music, grateful for the musical instruments that these amazing people are so gifted at using. Blessed and grateful that I get to be on the receiving end of their talents and be inspired and uplifted … sometimes that means bringing a smile to my face, sometimes that means making my eyes sweat, and sometimes that means dance, dance, dancing and shaking my hips!!

November 20th: Heather, Tanya and Amanda … Today I am grateful for these three awesome women. They are Lillian’s speech therapist, occupational therapist and physical therapist. We’ve tried other therapists in the past and nothing compares to this place, Advanced Pediatric Therapies, and no one compares to these three. They are all obviously doing what they love, what is their passion and purpose. I only see love, care and compassion when I’m there. I am thankful for how far these 3 have helped Lillian progress and continue to help her. Lillian absolutely refuses to miss any of her appointments with these three and is heartbroken when she does have to miss … she LOVES going to see them!!

November 21st: I’m deeply grateful and thankful to all of the beautiful souls that helped me make my book, “D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance” a reality … in less than ONE YEAR. If not for their encouragement, love and generosity this would not have happened as quickly as it did. For those that aren’t aware … EVERYONE who had anything to do with this book DONATED their time, talent and skills …. early draft edits (Sara), draft test readers, principal editor, Diana, cover design, Natalie & Diana, cover illustration, D.J., Interior layout and graphics, Diana. I will never forget the part each of you played. The toast that closes this video is for all of YOU … I LOVE Y’all!! Click the link for the video … https://youtu.be/mBv6kTfloyc

November 22nd: This day holds such warm, fuzzy and fun memories of my childhood and teenage years. I am grateful for this day of coming together with family and loved ones … Thankful for my younger years and spending time with all my cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents … all y’all!!! Even though we don’t get to see each other very often, I am deeply grateful for ALL my Mississippi family …. We had so much fun (okay, maybe a tad bit of arguing) and love each other unconditionally!!!

November 23rd: Today I am thankful simply for the ability to feel and be grateful … There’s so much to be grateful for when we quiet our mind, have an appreciation and love of nature, stop comparing ourselves to one another, and move away from always wanting more. Warm Hugs to Y’all this Friday afternoon!

November 24th: I’m grateful for getting the opportunity to reconnect with old friends all the way back to elementary school, and definitely my Oaklawn Jr High buddies! We had so much fun y’all … The silliest group of teenagers you ever saw! Had a ball being a Tarponette on the drill team with my buddy Valissa, marching in the Mardi Gras parades with our band buddies Georges, Dehron and Lillie. We tore up them streets of Houma, Louisiana and at them football games!! That’s what we thought anyway! Had such a blast being around each other … Chad, Dawn and Lois too! Our little mini reunion in 2009 down in Houston was a hoot! Hanging out and being silly like time had not even passed! I LOVE Y’ALL and am so thankful and blessed that we’ve reconnected!!!

November 25th: Today I am thankful for imagination … one of life’s greatest blessings … “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” -Albert Einstein …. “Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.” -Carl Sagan … “Live out of your imagination, not your history.” -Stephen Covey

November 26th: WATER …. That’s what I’m grateful for today. Such a simple thing that serves so many purposes. Hydration, thirst quencher, keeps us and our hands clean, heavenly bubble baths or showers or hot tub soaks, cleans our dishes, our clothes, our cars, feeds our grass and trees and plants, we use it to cook, to make tea and coffee, we use it to brush our teeth, put out fires, it supports life in our oceans, lakes and rivers and on and on and on ….

November 27th: Today I am thankful for patience and that somehow it surfaces in me when I need it most. I’m grateful that I can have a “down” day, when all seems so heavy, and wake up the next day vital, fresh and renewed with the knowing that all is as it should be knowing that “every little thing’s gonna be alright …. ” Big warm hugs y’all!!

November 28th: I’m grateful for Grassroots Books $5 bag sale this Sunday! Team TLC gets to load up THREE big bags of books for $5 since Thomas and Lillian each have a $5 gift card!! Wahooooo!!!! I’m kinda crazy like that ….. I’m so excited about going and looking through tons and tons of used books to fill up my bag!! Can’t Wait!

November 29th: Just back from a walk in this harsh wind we’re getting … sat for about 30 minutes and pondered and soaked in the beauty and felt the wind … Thankful to get to enjoy walks in nature and soak it all in … Big hug and smile y’all!!

November 30th: As this month of sharing publicly what I am thankful for comes to an end … I’m signing off with this one …. I am grateful for ME, thankful that I chose to journey within myself to discover my true inner self, my purpose, my passion, and my unique gift … I’m glad y’all are part of this journey … Big Warm Hug!! Here’s a post I wrote about this back in September … https://camilladowns.com/2012/09/28/you/

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