On Turning 35: Gratitude and Goals

Gratitude and Goals

Today, I turned 35. After 3.5 decades of life, I feel it's time to reflect on all I am grateful for and to share my goals for the future.

Click "Read More" to See my 35 Thoughts on Thankfulness and Dreams.

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Gratitude:
Reflecting on Life's Blessings

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SO Thankful for This Wonderful Man

1. My Husband

Marvin and I have been together for many years, living in different cities, traveling the globe, and spending as much time together as possible. This year, I married my best friend, my favorite travel companion, my rock. I will forever be thankful for his love and friendship.

Gypsy: Our Home on Wheels

2. A Roof Over My Head

Gypsy, our 21-foot travel trailer, has been home for the past 2.5 years. She's been good to us, allowing us to venture with her around North America, and giving us the financial freedom to fly to countries all over the world.

3. My Parents

When I was a child, they nurtured me, cared for me, prayed for me, provided for me, taught me, and loved me. Now that I'm an adult, they still love me and pray for me. They encourage me, counsel me, and support me. I am thankful for a Dad who always answers my car questions and a Mom who tells me to go to the doctor and who keeps me abreast of news of family and friends. My parents are my champions, and I love them with all my heart.

Thankful for My Mother-In-Law

4. My Mother-In-Law

Mothers-in-law are the butt of many jokes. But my mother-in-law is one of my favorite people on the planet. She is kind, compassionate, and generous, always willing to make room for us in her home. She is as sweet as sweet can be, and I love her dearly and always look forward to time spent with her.

Grateful for Food, Both Savory and Sweet

5. Food

As a foodie, I am grateful to always have food on my table, not just for sustenance, but for enjoyment. I am thankful for the variety of fruits and vegetables available to me, for the plethora of interesting restaurants here in Houston, for sweet treats with which to celebrate life, and for the financial freedom to sample foods from all over the globe, both here and abroad.

6. My Job

Yes, I work long hours. Yes, people exhaust my energy sometimes. Yes, I sometimes complain about my job. But at the end of the day, I am truly grateful to have a job, regular income, and medical benefits.

7. My Managers

They are compassionate, understanding, and encouraging, and I couldn't ask for anyone better.

8. My Car

Being in the car business, I unfortunately come across people from time to time who can't afford to finance a car and can't afford to pay cash for a car. I am so grateful to have reliable transportation in a comfortable car.

Good Memories of Beautiful Places

9. Memories of Past Travels

From our 10,000-mile road trip around North America to our 2.5-month stint in Europe to smaller trips to the Caribbean, Central America, the Middle East, and Asia, we have made some amazing memories. Looking through photos of past travels is one of my favorite pastimes, and I could not be more grateful for those opportunities.

True Friendship is a Blessing

10. Friends

True friends are hard to find, but I am fortunate to have a select few who are not just friends, but sisters. Through good times and bad times, we are there for each other, loving one another, laughing together and crying together, even if we're thousands of miles apart. Thank you, ladies.
* Photo by Good Housekeeping

11. Family

I have the most amazing brother, niece and nephew, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, second cousins, first cousins once removed... you get the drift. And with the marriages that have occurred over the past few years, I've gained even more great people who are not just family, but friends. Keeping up with the "littles" on Facebook and at family events has been a source of great pleasure for me over the years. Family = Love.

Thankful for Natural Beauty

12. The Beauty of Nature

From scenic views to fragrant flowers to unique animals, nature is full of beauty. Even a simple wildflower or honeybee can bring pleasure when we remember to appreciate the little things.

13. Marvin's Promotion

Recently Marvin was promoted from sales person to sales manager. In spite of the even longer hours, we are grateful for the opportunity and hope it leads to greater financial freedom.

14. Public Transportation

Access to airplanes, buses, and trains has allowed us to see so much of this great big world. Technological advances brought about by people much smarter than me have afforded us opportunities not available 1000 years ago or even 200 years ago. I'm thankful to be able to see the world!

15. Good Health

No, I'm not in peak condition. Yes, I am starting to feel the affects of age. Yes, I recently had to get a root canal. But I wake up every morning, am able to walk and even run (when I have to), and have full use of my nose, ears, and eyes (with a little help from glasses). I am, so far, free from major diseases. I am truly blessed with good health.

16. Art

I am by no means an art scholar. But I do have a great appreciation for art - everything from public statues and street art to paintings and sculptures by the masters and photography by the talented photographers of the world. The world is made more beautiful by the skills of others.

17. Sorrow and Grief

This may seem like something that would cause the opposite of thankfulness, but feeling sorrow and feeling grief means that I had the chance to love someone worth feeling sorrowful over. Grief causes growth and brings me one step closer to the person I am meant to be.

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Traveling to other countries and seeing how other people live reminds me to be grateful for a number of things that we as Americans often take for granted. Here are a few:

18. Clothing

19. Shoes

20. A Sewage Infrastructure that Allows Us to Flush our Paper Waste

21. Clean Running Water

22. Paved Streets

23. Vaccines, Medicines, and Eyewear

While we're on the subject, vaccinate your kids, treat food as medicine, carefully select actual medications, and appreciate your glasses and contacts.

24. A Computer and Internet Access

25. Education, Educators, and the Ability to Read & Write

26. Electricity and Air Conditioning

27. Grocery Stores and supermarkets

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Goals:
Hope for the Future

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28. A House

After 2.5 years in Gypsy, Marvin and I have decided that it's time to purchase a house and put down some roots. Our search for the perfect home here in Houston continues, and I hope to soon report that the search is over and we've found our dream home.

29. A Child

Along with putting down some roots, we also hope to grow our family tree and have a Little Master or Miss Barnes soon.

30. A Dog

Being animal lovers, we look forward to adopting a dog to care for and to bring us joy.

31. Greater Financial Freedom

With Marvin's promotion, we look forward to more financial freedom, allowing our other goals to become a reality.

32. A Job or Business That Would Allow me to Work from Home

In the hopes of soon having a home and a baby to care for, my goal is to find a job or create a business that would allow me to work from home, still contributing to the household income without the added costs of child care.

33. Continued Travel

Even with a child, we intend to continue to travel. Yes, our travels will be different from before, but we still intend to see Costa Rica and Croatia, Italy and India, Spain and South Africa, and so much more!

34. Visiting Family and Friends

With family members and friends scattered across the globe, we hope to be able to make many trips to visit them and make more happy memories.

35. Hosting Family and Friends

Having a house will mean the ability to host family and friends who visit Houston. We look forward to having guests from Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Florida, and more!

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And there you have it. I have so much to be grateful for, and so many things to look forward to. I don't know what the future holds, but I can't wait to find out!

​Thank you for joining us on our journey.

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