Yes, I too am already concerned about the title of this post.  Seriously, Katie?  You’re going to go there?  Yes, I am.  Because pulling myself further down into a pit of despair sounds like a worse idea than the alternative – pulling myself up.  And honestly, it’s all about which voice in your head you listen to when determining which direction in that pit you’re headed.

Today, I will be thankful that Oma, Chris’ grandmother, is finally at peace, and back with her beloved husband and grandsons.

Today, I will be thankful that I could visit with his family, even if for just a short while, and even if under difficult circumstances, again.

Today, I will be grateful that my parents refused to let me drive myself to Greenville.  And came up early enough to change my lightbulbs.  And were here when the day got so, so, so much worse.

Today, I will be thankful that the lightning storm only blew part of my electrical system, and not the entire system.  Or worse.

Today, I will be grateful for friends that were gracious enough with their time to allow me to momentarily interrupt their anniversary to help me troubleshoot my broken garage door from afar.

Today, I will be grateful that after busting my ankle, I still had a foot and ankle specialist on speed dial, who was willing to rearrange his schedule to see me.

Today, I will be grateful that the doctor was a close enough friend to break it to me gently that he was prescribing medication to prevent blood clots.

Today, I will be thankful that it was just a bad sprain, and that we’re re-evaluating in a week.

Today, I will be grateful for friends that provide perspective.

Today, I will be thankful that my parents stayed longer than they planned, and that they love me unconditionally.  Even through my personal pity parties, grouchiness, and horrible attitude.

Today, I will be grateful that my co-worker explained my absence at work as “due to an incident with a mechanical bull”.

Today, I will be grateful that at least some of the televisions still work.  And Netflix still works.

Today, I will be thankful for the can-do attitude of my already over-worked coworkers.

Today, I will be grateful for a sister who knows exactly what I need:  honesty, heckling, and someone to check in constantly.

Today, I will also be thankful that I’m walking away from a weekend with my sister where I was free to not be an adult for a little while.

Today, I will be grateful that my internet still works.

Today, I will be grateful for the opportunity to use a riding scooter at the grocery store.  With parental supervision, of course.

Today, I will be grateful that I know people willing to come help me figure things out at the drop of a hat.

Today, I will be thankful for yet another set of incoming nicknames.

Today, I will be thankful that I don’t have any pain to medicate.

Today, I will be grateful that I don’t have to explain the irony in all of this to our closest friends.

Today,  I will be thankful that I can’t have the weekend at the beach like I planned.  Because now I have a weekend at home.  To re-group.  To get my bearings.

Today, through it all, I will be broken.  But thankful.