Fall is my absolute most favorite time of year. The heat of summer gives way to the first chilly bites of the winter to come, and the whole world is alight with color. It also means the wait for my two favorite holidays is almost over.

Christmas will always be my numero uno, but Thanksgiving pulls off a very close second on my list of favorites.

I love everything about Thanksgiving. The mouth-watering smells wafting from the kitchen and spreading throughout the house as soon as the sun comes up, being surrounded by those I love the most and the sound of their laughter. The food, ahh yes the food. I’m Joey from Friends, the one busting out the maternity pants in order to gorge myself more comfortably.

Then there’s the real kicker. The reason I love Thanksgiving so dang much, even if it is basically the celebration of that time our European ancestors almost starved to death. It’s a day set aside specifically for expressing our gratitude for all that we have, which to me is as beautiful as it gets.

Then there’s the flip side. The why-am-I-not-grateful-for-all-that-I-have-every-day side.

It makes me feel guilty. Because I really am thankful for all that I have every day, yet I need a holiday set aside to fully express that gratitude. To shout it loud for all to hear how well I’ve got it made. I don’t think I’m the only person who feels that way on this, our country’s designated day for thankfulness. There is just so much that I am thankful for every day.

I am thankful every day for my daughter. Yes, every day. Even the ones that she spends more time arguing or screaming at me than she does listening to or hugging me. Even though my life has been altered forever from what I expected it would be, I can’t imagine my world not revolving around my mini human. I’m not just thankful one day a year for this journey I am on – I am thankful for being a mom every single day.

I am also thankful every single day for my own mom. The woman who shows me again and again that kindness, forgiveness and compassion are the things this world needs most, and all things I am capable of giving.

I am thankful every day for my wonderful group of friends who keep me young, and are always reminding me of my capacity for greatness. I am also thankful every day for Skye’s dad and his wonderful family. Then there is my own crazy, chaotic, lovable family, each one of whom I couldn’t do without.

I am thankful for every day that I wake up and get out of bed to face this wild rollercoaster called life.

I love this day that we all spend reflecting on the things that are good and beautiful and maybe even a little messy in our lives. Yet I wish it lasted more than just the one day. Being thankful for what I have is something I want to pass on to Skye. I want my daughter to realize and appreciate every day all the wonderful things and people her world is filled with. Every single day.

The only way I can think of to accomplish that goal is to lead by example. To take the time to stop and realize how lucky I am for all that I have, every single day, then to acknowledge and show appreciation for those blessings.

I am lucky, and so very thankful. Every. Single. Day.

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