Yesterday was Thanksgiving. I was thinking about the intention behind this particular holiday and how wonderful that intention is. Ideally we are grateful everyday for the things that we have. But I love that there is a holiday in which we take one day out of the year to be mindful of those things that we are grateful for.

The weekly photo challenge for this week is “Thankful.”

I am thankful for many things, but this year I am especially thankful for my husband. He has been my best friend and partner for 20 years. I am so lucky that I get so spend my life with him. He makes me laugh and he is there for me during my darkest hours, without hesitation. He is the most loving, caring person I know.

I have thought about this the past few days:

Before I met him I didn’t think very highly of myself. I had major self esteem issues. I floundered in school because I didn’t think I was very smart. I don’t know why I felt this way about myself but I did. Then I met Raf.  He treated me like an intellectual equal. We would have fascinating conversations about interesting topics. After awhile I started to actually believe in myself. I went back to school and did very well especially in science and  math (which was a minor miracle). In fact, I did better than “well.” Most of the time I got the best grade in class (messing up the curve and pissing everyone in class off). I was able to go on to, not only get my Bachelor’s degree, but also my Master’s degree. If someone told 18 year old me that I would, someday, have a Master’s degree I would have called them a liar.

He believed in me. And he still does. And for this I am very, very thankful.

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