This is coming a bit late but I found myself writing it elsewhere and figured it fit this topic best.
Today, as a staff function at my work place, a group of us have volunteered to help out with preparing meals, serving said meals, and cleaning up at the local soup kitchen. In an almost clichéd manner this made me start to ponder the last few years of my life: where I am now and where I would be if not for the various people who've supported me through the rougher times.
I'm not known to be an ungrateful person and likely lay on my appreciation a bit too thick at times, so cherishing the positive things in my life isn't some newfound state of mind, but I honestly don't know if I've ever realistically considered what state I'd be in if not for those cherished supports. All of the hugs, the kind words; all the times that people put themselves out for me and wouldn't leave me be until I was better; shoulders to cry on; all of the gifts and reminders that I'm as special to them as they are to me; all of the food, financial support, the assistance with annoying or difficult tasks, or kind gestures; the trust that I can learn from my mistakes and acceptance of my imperfections; and everyone who's waited on me and still cared even though it seemed as though I'd stopped caring about them. All of it. I'm so deeply thankful for it all.
Thinking in "what ifs" is somewhat meaningless because if my situation were different I likely would have adapted and behaved differently as well, but considering my worser states and what dragged me out of them... That wasn't my strength alone. It's almost scary thinking about it. So again I say thank you to all of the people and critters who've stuck by me, because without them? I truly don't know where I would be right now. I love each and every one of them and could never thank them enough for loving a fool like me too. ♥
