Thankful Thursday

What If You Woke Up Today With Only The Things You Thanked God For Yesterday.

My Grandmother- The one woman who has never been anything other than a True Proverbs 31 Woman. My grandmother has a backbone of God and Steel. She loved my Grandfather for fifty something years before she became a widow. She survived and overcame the battle of Breast Cancer twice in her lifetime. She now is mentally suffering with dementia. But, it sure keeps the family laughing even though it is a test of patience. She is beautiful, has more friends than any lady I've ever known and has always kept God number One in her life.

My Daddy- My dad and I have had our countless vein-in-your-forehead-popping-out-arguments. But, In the end we both know its because we are both just a like. Stubborn & Set in our own ways. He's made me mad. I've made him mad. But, it wasn't until the past two years when My dad became one of my best friends. From teaching me to load a shot gun to baiting a hook as a child. My dad taught me many of things, to where to pay your tithes, how a man thinks, & most importantly how to pray. He may not be perfect, but his advice always goes back to the "ya daddy told ya so." He showed me how to get out and stand on my feet & the past two years I have had the bestrelationship with him. From when I was little until now. I know day or night. My daddy will come running fast- packing heat, or with a trunk of packed groceries. I will always be a daddy's little girl.

My mother- Although we disagree on where I should be in life. I will have to say there are sometimes I know I have no one else to call or text and say Mom, I need someone to talk to... and I just know that she's my prayer warrior. She is a woman of God and I am forever thankful to come from Mother that is rooted in God's word.

My Aunt Cindy and Uncle JW- I have always been my Aunt's favorite since I was small. This woman taught me to shop, to love, and to buck up. She's been there when I needed to know that I was a woman of worth. She was there to tell me that it would be hard, lonely, but worth while. She was there to tell me when I needed to be reminded as to what My Grandy would do in a situation with a bad man. My back bone is made strictly of my "Matson Blood" I'm mean because My Grandy was mean. But, like a lady I was taught by her that you only need to stand up when you need to stand. But, you never let a man tell you to sit. haha! She brings care packages when I need them and text when she knows I need an ear. I don't know where I'd be without you and your blunt loving advice!

My Dog Maggie- Maggie was a Shelter pup that I picked up when I was laid off from work and going through the hardest time in my life. I was heartbroken and unemployed. Maggie knew why she was in my life from day one. Day's where I didn't get out of bed, eat, and just cry turned into days getting up to take her out. She was the Step to getting back up and hitting back the ladder in my life. She helped me get up and enjoy the outdoors. When I didn't wanna do anything but sleep and cry she would bury her head in my shoulder and just sleep with me. Her therapeutic way helped me cope. After someone giving her antifreeze this past Summer. I turned into her ladder. She didn't let me give up and I didn't let her. We've been through hell and back together. Without her. I know I'd given up.

Katey Martin- I don't know what I would have done in many of my Life's curve balls without you by my side. Even when we go without talking from time to time. Your still my go to girl and we pick up right where we left off. Thank You for everything you've ever done for me or said to make my hard times better. You truly are My Best Friend & I am so Thankful for you!

Jeanie Ogle- My number one positive influential friend. As a Wife, a Youth Leader's Wife, A director in direct sales, An MBA job title, Antique loving, dog compassionate, 9 to 5 Xray Technician, and a Alabama Teen Challenge passionate lady. I have never met someone who is so positive and well put together. The Many Dr. Pepper Can's and Front Porch therapy sessions we have had on Milton Avenue have done me more help and good than you will ever know! God uses you my friend in so many ways!

Brooke, Carey, & Kirstin- I met you all nearly two years ago in Vancouver, Washington & the moment we sat at out "Southern table" we four became best friends and soul mates. Each of us were going through a change in our lives or about to endure a hard ship that each of us couldn't have gone through without encountering a few strangers on the West coast that week in August. I know each of you have given me advice that I couldn't have ever received from anyone else. Although, we are in different states, I am thankful that our clique has remained to be very close. Each of you are beautiful women. I thank God for each of you on a daily basis. Single. Married. Mothers. Or whatever You will always be my go to girls for a fun night out or a shoulder to cry on. Whether it's Kirstin's dry to the point advice to Brooke's wild nights at Fado and relationship advice over mimosa's on a Sunday. Or Carey's Been there done that shoulder to cry on and bed to lay in on a Sunday and watch tv. Each of you hold a special memory, and special place in my heart.

Alison Sorely- Whether it's a midnight chair on the streets of downtown Sylacauga, dancing to jute box tunes, a Road trip to Atlanta, or Walking the Streets of College Station Mall in Texas. You have been a soul mate type friendship. I am thankful for our late night texts, your kicking butt skills in Words With Friends, our conversations about men, God, clothing, fashion, weddings, and life have helped me so much! I am thankful for you in so many ways.

Kayla- Although we have a don't talk for awhile but pick up right where we left off friendship. I am so thankful for you! If it's tears on my couch in the middle of the day, or advice over our what's suppose to be a monthly date to Sips & Strokes, Or that gym membership we never worked out with. You are one of the strongest women I've ever met. You are the most beautiful put together person I've ever met. & I am so thankful for you!

Angela & Tammy- Both of you have meant so much to me over the past six years. I look up to you in many ways. From Charge Nurses, to "moms", and my best friends. You both are strong women and I don't know what I'd do without you both!

Be thankful.

-ashleigh