How lucky we are

The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and daylight savings time is behind us. As the days get longer the wonderful truth is upon us… it’s almost spring. Every year around this time I watch as Vermonters near and far make a grand escape for somewhere warm. We are cold, tired, and done with winter. This winter especially has been brutal. Between the freezing temps and the terrible flu/cold season it’s almost post apocalyptic the way families are beginning to emerge from their homes with circles under their eyes and pale skin to boot. That being said, this time every year my seasonal depression makes a turn for the better thanks to good ol’ St. Patricks Day. In my house this day has special meaning (in so many ways). Not only is it a holiday, it’s also my husband’s birthday and unfortunately the anniversary of my Father in Laws passing. With every year the sadness of losing Paul has turned into fond memories and a day to show how thankful we are to have had him in our lives when we did. We work hard to celebrate the birth of my husband instead of the loss of his father. What’s more, we celebrate everything we are lucky for in his honor.

So in honor of Paul, I would like to share everything that we are lucky for in hopes that you can do the same.

1} We are lucky to have our friends

Both pre-baby and post-baby friends exist in our lives. They adsorb our every days and make us a large part of who we are. If I didn’t have my pre-baby friends I think I would often lose myself in the day-to-day of being a mom. These friends remind me of who I am and what it means to be just “me.” With that, if I didn’t have my post baby friends (you know who you are you lucky devils you! See what I did there…) honestly I don’t know how I would have made it through early parenting or parenting in general. When you become a parent a large part of you changes. While my post baby friends have only seen a glimpse of college fun loving party Tara, my pre-baby friends don’t know me as in depth as my mommy friends who know me as a mom. They know “I Need Sanity” Tara and “sorry I have to leave your house like this but my kid just had a blow out or puked” Tara. We have even talked about our vagina’s while being completely serious. Both of these friends are important in our lives and we are so lucky to be surrounded by friends that love and support us the way we do them. In some cases they even overlap, I mean really what more can you ask for!

2} We are lucky to have our families

Its funny how easy it is to take your family for granted. We love them for sure, but I didn’t realize how lucky I was to have been given the love and choices I was until I had to make them for my own boys. I’m lucky to have my parents, my sister, my nieces and nephew, my in-laws, my sister in law, brother in law, and spouses of in-laws (and their kids). I’m lucky to have grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and distant relatives (on both sides of our families). If I forgot to mention you, trust me, I am lucky to have you too! We are connected, and we are lucky to know where we came from and where we are going and to share this with our own kids. Next time you see a relative, stop, hug them, and say thank you. While they may not know you the way your friends do (or maybe they do, in which case give them a bigger hug and maybe a smooch on the cheek) but they have been a part of your life in one way or another. And each and every one of them shares a bond that cannot be broken. Life is precious, and for the sake of not sounding too much like a Hallmark card… cherish it.

3} We are lucky to have our community

It’s no question that most of you reading this blog are Vermonters. I hope this has found it’s way outside of Vermont that isn’t from my own traffic (hi Mom). But regardless, what an awesome community. I love Vermont, part of what drove us to this wonderful state was the community and overall way of life up here. I feel so fortunate to live in a city and area that thrives on community and sustainability. We are local, we love local, we support local, but more so we support each other and the people around us. What’s more the BVTMB community has been one that I am so lucky to be a part of. I absolutely cherish this group of women and look forward to the many things we have in store!

4} We are lucky to have our neighbors

Along with community of course comes those closest to us, our neighbors. I hope that everyone I know is as fortunate as we have been to not only have great neighbors, but neighbors who we can also call some of our closest friends. Thank you for always being there, whether for a late night drink, a cup of sugar, or just a friendly helping hand! Seriously, you guys are the best.

5} We are lucky to have the choice to choose

This is one I think we all tend to forget. Every day we make choices and sometimes they are hard ones. Sometimes so hard that they tear our heart out and test our every bone. But they ARE choices, and they are ours. Never let go of that, and don’t forget the next time you choose to do something (even if it’s what to have for dinner) that this is a luxury that we are lucky to have.

6} We are lucky for our jobs

My husband and I both work full time. We made this choice as what was right for our family (see above). We are thankful everyday for how lucky we are to have jobs on the same schedule that motivate u individually  in ways outside of the home. I love the people I work with, I love doing what I do. And I know I am lucky for the opportunities I have been given. Some say that it takes hard work, I say it takes a little bit of both. While hard work can land you the job or the career, being in a job where you are surrounded by awesome people may not just be because I am lucky. But it certainly is good luck.

7} We are lucky to have love

Some days I love with my heart so much that is almost hurts. From waking up and seeing my sweet little boys faces to giving them goodnight kisses that night. From remembering the day my husband and I got in our first big fight to the day we said “I do.” From the moment I met my new extended family to when I said goodbye to my father in law. These are the moments that make us happy, sad, meaningful, and full. We are lucky to have them them all.

8} We are lucky to have our sweet sweet perfect little boys

They are awesome. And I am thankful for them every day. Enough said.

9} We are lucky to have each other

This goes for all of you. For my family, my friends, my children, my extended family, our community, the BVTMB team and to our wonderful readers. For it all. We are lucky to have each other and more so, I am lucky to have you.

So with that I will say Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband Jake. May this year bring another year of great luck and awesome fun for our families and friends (and US)!

Also, I only listed 9 tips (I like odd numbers) so feel free to add what you are lucky for in the comments below!