Wednesday, November 26, 2014

An attitude of gratitude

On this Thanksgiving eve, it seemed appropriate to reflect on all that I have to be grateful for. It's nice to have holidays like this that remind all of us that no matter how we might be feeling about life, there's still plenty to make us feel thankful. I'm especially thankful for all the wonderful people in my life.

First and foremost, I'm thankful for my family. Sure, my teenage sons aren't exactly warm and fuzzy these days, but bottom line, they're good boys. Certainly, they give me a run for my money but when I look at what I see other teenagers doing,  most of what they're doing is "normal" teenage behavior. All I want for Christmas is their frontal lobes to return.


That didn't really sound thankful, did it? Trust me, I am. I do love them. They just don't want me to show it...

Here's the rest....

My husband, who lets me be me. He lets me do my thing--be it running, school, whatever, and doesn't complain about it...much. He gets me. Sleeps on the couch when he's snoring or gassy. And for that alone, I am thankful.


My parents, who treat my every accomplishment as if it were an Academy Award. There is no one who loves you more than your parents, I think.


My sisters, particularly my sister Lisa, who is my best friend and keeps me laughing at the silliest things that only sisters can get. John Edwards photobomb, anyone?


My coworkers, especially my medical assistant Zuly. I know that at times I can be difficult to work with, with my drive to deliver the best care to my patients that I can, to run on time, all while trying not to crumple under the pressure. Zuly rises to the occasion every time and meets my expectations, no matter what the circumstances. We make a great team, and our patients reap the benefits. And she has become a cherished friend as well.


I would be remiss if I didn't mention my medical director and my practice manager. My medical director is a wonderful man, whom I have known for over 15 years, since he was a resident in training at the hospital where I work. He has a gift for making everyone feel better just by talking with them. Not only that, but he's a great physician who is extremely knowledgeable and caring. What a great combination! He has a great sense of humor too. And my practice manager, who is a dear friend of mine, whom I've known for over 10 years. A runner as well, she gets me. She too has a gift for a calming presence and the ability to deliver a difficult message in a way that makes you feel ok after you hear it.

My coach/trainer, Becky. Oh my gosh, what a gift she has been in my life!!! Instead of feeling badly about getting older, she's injected me with youth and a desire to achieve goals I never thought possible at this point in my life. She's served as a pseudo-psychologist as well, helping me to erase self doubt (burpees anyone) and increase my self confidence. How lucky am I?


My friends both running and non-running. I am amazed at the non-running friends who follow my FB page, which means they have to put up with my non-stop talk of running and my selfies! And the ones who send me good luck texts on race days. And who do a much better job than I do of staying in touch.. of trying to rope me in for a lunch date or a girls' night out. I'm so fortunate.

And my running friends, for whom I am so grateful. This has been my best year of running and it is in part due to the support and encouragement I have received from these wonderful ladies. It sure is a lot more fun showing up and running a race when you know you have friends who will be there!



Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who has read and commented on this blog. At times, I feel self indulgent when I write and publish this public diary. Writing has always been a great outlet for me, and I love the fact that there are so many of you who take the time to read it! Thank you for all of your support and feedback.

There is so much to be thankful for! But for me, it is the people in my life that make me feel most grateful.

Postscript: I'm linking up with the Friday Five Linkup! 

28 comments :

  1. What a sweet post! (I also wish my teens' frontal lobes would return. Amazing, isn't it?) You have many wonderful people in your life and you are truly blessed. Congrats on a great year of running and Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thank you! I've had a tough couple of weeks (as have all the people around me, sorry everyone!) and I really feel grateful for all of them!

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  2. Nice post! You've had a challenging couple of months but I know your family knows you love them and have their backs. No one ever told us parenting was so hard!!

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    1. It felt really good to write this one! And oh, yeah...those boys...

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  3. This is great, Wendy! Thanks so much for sharing all of these pics of important folks in your life; I'm so glad that I've gotten to know more about you through your blog and follow along in your journey. Thank YOU for all of the support and encouragement you've provided me over the past few months. I hope y'all have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!

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    1. Thanks Tara! And I include you...what a huge support you've been to me! Happy Thanksgiving to you!

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  4. This was wonderful to read! I'm thinking of that day in the pic, when I pulled up in front of your house at 5am and you hopped in, having never truly met me. Ha! The running tribe is a fabulous thing. Can't wait to be grateful together tomorrow when we go at it at the trot! xoxo

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    1. Yep, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have run that marathon...you believed in me and I bought it...hook, line, and sinker!

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  5. I am very thankful for my family and friends as well. Also for my health that allows me to run and do what I love. -L

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  6. One of the MANY things I love about you is you are always honest. You post tonight is so refreshing and open. I loved seeing pictures of your family and your friends. I am so lucky we met and I can't wait to toe the line and have many wine dates with you in 2015. xoxoxo

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    1. Yep, I'm not good at the superficial thing! I don't know how I got so lucky to have you come into my life, but I'm grateful for it and am looking forward to many good times together!

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  7. Great list!! I agree that the people in your life make a huge impact, and I too am grateful for my family, fitness friends, and blogger friends!

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  8. Love this Wendy. I'm so thankful to have connected with you this year. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  9. I love all of your wonderful pictures of the family and friends you are so grateful for!

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  10. I love reading your blog and love your page so much and love you! I hope I get to meet you one day!

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    1. You are just the nicest!! I hope we get to meet someday too!!!

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  11. hope you had a great thanksgiving and have a wonderful weekend! you seem like a pretty cool mom to me!

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  12. Happy Thanksgiving! We are just heading into the teen years here and some days it feels like he checks his brain at the door. Oy. Just glad he's a good kid!

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    1. Some of the stuff they've put me through this year...it's hard to keep it all in perspective. I keep telling myself it could be so much worse...or better...

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  13. What a wonderful post, and so much to be thankful for !

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    1. Thank you! There is so much to be thankful for, but it really is the people in my life that make me so grateful!

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  14. What a great, sweet post. And funny too - especially about the teenagers. I dread those days. In fact earlier tonight I made my daughter promise she would never be a difficult teenager, and she did. I'll have to remind her of that in several years... (she's almost 9)

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    1. Thank you! I should be grateful for a sense of humor to get me through these teenage years!

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