A heart full of Thanks

Today I've felt so grateful. Nothing special happened today to bring these feelings on, they've just been coming periodically throughout the day. First, I've felt so grateful for the way I was raised and for my family. I love each of my siblings so much and love that I have so many. It is neat. I don't know how my parents survived all our drama, but I'm glad they did. We have some great memories. I'm grateful for Eternal families- that we can be reunited with those we love who have gone before us. Second, I feel so blessed because a year ago today I had surgery and now you can't even tell. No visual scarring, no long term effects. That was an extremely hard time for me and I was helped by the Lord and many loving people during that experience -my mom who will never fully understand how much she helped us that week and how much her service means to us, my bishop who must have been inspired to send me flowers on the day I was the most depressed, to my ward members who were concerned for us and willing to help out in any way, to my husband and kids and to all those who were praying for me. Third, for all the life long lessons I learned and the way I grew while living in Philadelphia for the last 4 years. The way I serve in the church will never be mediocre thanks to what I learned and experienced there. Thomas S. Monson said,
"Ours is the responsibility to show our gratitude by the actions of our lives." My heart is full, my emotions are tender today.