Thursday, November 25, 2010

What are you thankful for?

This year, I sat my kids down (separately so that they don't share their answers) and I asked them, "What are you thankful for?"

My youngest, who is turning 3 next week said, "AIDAN!" His older brother.

It made my heart sing. Especially because probably within minutes of his saying that he had very likely gotten pounded in some way from his older brother because they are 19 months apart and they are always getting tangled and I am constantly saying things like, "No hitting!" and "Get OFF of your brother!" and "Stop throwing things at your brother!" and "No spitting!"

(Good stuff.)

But somehow, despite whatever previous pounding hath ensued, the little one's first answer and a resounding one at that was his older brother.

My oldest, who is 4, said, "You. And Daddy. And Aunt Carol. And Uncle Don. And Ryan (his brother). And Mamnee (Grandma). And Papa. And Nee-Nee (other grandma)..." And he went down the list of his family.

My heart, again, was singing.

I don't care how much we yell at each other, how much the kids hit or wrestle or beat each other up, how  stinkin mad we can sometimes get at each other (well yes, I do care about all that, I'd rather us not have all of that but even so), at the end of the day the one thing I am thankful for more than any other thing in the world is my family. No matter how disfunctional it may or may not be at any given moment. 

I try so hard every day to stress the importance to my children of having each other.

No, we don't always have to like each other. But we do always have to love each other. We're family. We're the only ones we got. And I'm thankful for that. And I'm glad that they are too.

Did you ask your kids what they're thankful for? What did they say? And what are you thankful for? Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

2 comments:

AnnG said...

love these answers...i am thankful that although my boys are 13 yrs apart in age they still play and goof off like they are only 2 yrs apart when my oldest comes home for any length of time like today! happy thanksgiving, Christie!

Bacardi Mama said...

I love that kids for the most part love their siblings no matter how much they beat up on each other. My oldest granddaughter was asked at preschool what she was thankful for and she said her sister Lizzy who is two years younger than her and they are constantly at each other, but they also are constantly hugging on each other. I am thankful for my family no matter how dysfunctional we can become sometimes. For the most part, we are a pretty good bunch. I am also thankful for people like you Christie that I have met through the blogging community. Two years ago I never would have thought I could feel this way about people that I have never met in person. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. By the way, I mailed that package so I'm guessing you will have it the first part of next week.

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