30 days of thanksgiving. DAYS 19, 20, 21...

with austin being home (yes, i am VERY thankful for that) it has been a busy week.  the kids were still in school up until today...and i'm working full time hours...so there just hasn't been a lot of time.  but that doesn't mean there hasn't been a lot of gratitude.

this morning when i was at work a gentleman came in.  i am certain that i will never forget our conversation.

you just NEVER know what a day is going to hold in store.

on april 6, 2012 the residents of virginia beach awoke, getting ready to celebrate a holiday weekend...much like we will be doing tomorrow.  instead of thanksgiving, it was good friday.  another great thing to celebrate, right?

this was the morning that a navy jet crashed into an apartment complex in our community.  the apartments are two miles from where my family lives.  it was a morning spent feeling fearful...children were home from school...the area the jet crashed in is FILLED with apartments and condominiums.  

and yet, MIRACULOUSLY no one was killed.  not even the pilots.  AMAZING.  

i have transferred to a new store up the road...so i had not met mark before even though he is a regular customer.  he shared why he was thankful this THANKSGIVING.   he was one of the residents of that apartment complex.

he shared his gratitude...how quickly the navy cleared the area...how he got to spend easter with an ocean front view...choosing to look at the positives rather than the fact that he had lost his home temporarily.  

it was a scary time.  but it was temporary.  and he's come out the other side of it stronger.  more grateful.  more thankful for each day.

i really really liked him.  UNTIL HE TOLD ME THAT I REMINDED HIM OF SOMEONE.

i waited...wondering who it would be...

and then he said it.  (i'm laughing out loud as i type this).

CRYSTAL GAYLE.

um, REALLY?  he didn't think i'd know who she was.  BUT, OH I DO.  and i wanted to run...RIGHT THEN...from my job...and go get a haircut.  QUICKLY.

turns out when i got home and googled her, she's not quite as terrible as i remember.  and he REALLY was a nice guy.  so mark, i will take the good from our meeting and let the crystal gayle comparison go.  

thank you for sharing your story with me.  we ALL have so much to be grateful for.

and because i am several days behind there are a few other little things i'm thankful for that i'd like to touch on.  they may be simple...but i can't imagine life without them.

thankful that even in my new work location there is a starbucks close enough to get refills :)

i'm also thankful for apples, oranges, grapes and bananas.  i KNOW that i would not survive giving up my chocolate addiction without them.

on this night before thanksgiving, i wish you all protection from falling jets, coffee to keep you going and a never ending supply of healthy fruit.

happy thanksgiving eve y'all.