thankful

i am up alone as usual...watching one of my favorite movies of all times (Goodfellas - but i'm not endorsing it)...and contemplating....my thankfulness.
we drove home from SC today. We had a nice Thanksgiving with my Mom, Dad & Sisters & their families....minus our 7-layered salad (inside joke with the family!).
i am sitting here thinking about the question i heard several times this week..."what are you thankful for?" - even my Elizabeth asked me...of course the expected & anticipated answer is...."my family" or "you" (to the asker)....but seriously...what am i deep down thankful for....

i'm thankful that i'm loved. that's the prominent thought in my head. i'm thankful that i'm loved....by a heavenly father...whose arms are so long i cant out run their reach, by a man who puts me first & never lets me down in the important things, by my children who love me with a smile & a whisper that can never be replaced by money or fame and love me....just like God....just as i am, and this may sound so silly, but my dogs love me....the wag of their tails & the lick of the tongues tell me how much. i'm thankful also for friends who accept me as i am and encouragement to be a better person.
i'm thankful for a mom, dad, & sisters who have loved me through the years & though we are not perfect...we have a common bond...common memories...we are family.
yes, i'm thankful i am loved.