Thankful Thursday

This summer and particularly this week, I have been really thinking about all of the things that I am Thankful for. As I was taking a shower, the words to an old spiritual popped in my mind:

"Nobody told me that the road would be easy,

and

I don't believe he's brought me this far to leave me"

Here are some things that I am thankful for today:

1. Good Health. I am never really sick. I can count the number of times that I have missed anything, because I did not feel well. Last summer, wearing high heel sandals, I hurt my ankle. Every movement that I made, was done with a lot of effort. If you ever see me at school, I am the teacher who runs a whole lot more than I walk: run to the copy machine, run to talk to another teacher, run to the bathroom etc. And when I could not run and had to walk, I knew that when God healed my ankle, I would never complain about walking or running again. Don't get me wrong, I don't need for something bad to happen for me to be Thankful, but this minor setback reminded me to be Thankful that I can run, jump and even tumble, and I do these things often.

2. Friends who want to travel with me. I have taken several trips, so far, this summer, and I am extremely Thankful that I have friends who were willing and able to travel with me. The moments that I shared with them, from biking in San Francisco to dancing to A Tribe Call Quest poolside, are moments that I really do appreciate. Just for a little while, we were able to just be girls having fun.

3. People who got my back, and I have theirs. My sisters, Tracy and Dot, answers my call just about every time that I call, and I know that I can and do call often. Tracy will talk about one of my passions, fitness and health, all day everyday with me.  Berhane, the trainer, takes the time to text me and ask me if I have been to the gym today. Turkeisha read my blog, and emailed me every correction that needed to be made. These are just a few of the people who have my back, and I have theirs. I don't have enough tongues or time to tell about all of the people in my life whom I am Thankful for. When I hear people say that they only have a few good friends; I feel kinda sad, because people make the world go round.

4. My Tuskegee People. My Tuskegee people will be with me to the end. No matter when I show up in one of their towns, or they show up in mine, IT'S ON! Tuskegee people really love each other. Shoutouts to Candi, Deitrea, Tammy, Lavonia, Jeff Powell, Gary 2X, Anthony etc.  I could go on and on and on about that Skegee Love. You had to have walked on The Avenue, slept in a dorm with no air conditioning, and ate in Thompkins Hall in order to know what I am talking about. "Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall"......... the words to one of our favorite songs.

5. My Career Choice. Plain and simple: I LOVE MY JOB!!!!!!!! I get to work with children, read lots of books, and get a looooong summer break!  It's just plain good.

6. This Blog. I am Thankful that I was able to start a blog and write about literature, and some other stuff, and actually have people like and read it. Thanks for reading people. Don't be afraid to leave comments, I need them.

7. My advisor. Oh my, I almost forgot my advisor, Dr. Zee Willis. I am really close to finishing a degree, and I must say that school is for the young. I have struggled to get this degree. I could do the work, but I didn't want to. So, why would a student enroll in school when she doesn't want to do the work? That's a whole 'nother blog, but I am extremely happy that I can almost touch the finish line.  Dr. Willis has been so patient while I have complained, talked about how I hate the program, became impatient etc. If not for Dr. Willis, I would have never finished this degree. She has the patience of Job; I was one difficult student.

So, today, I am Thankful, Thankful, Thankful.

I know I'm not the only person thankful, so don't be afraid to share what you are Thankful for. I really want to know.