God, Sometimes I Forget

God, sometimes I forget to say thank you.

For this life that was once just a dream – a fantasy that seemed too far-fetched to ever become a reality.

For the extraordinary gifts that have been part of my life for so long they now seem ordinary. The ones I’ve lost sight of as they’ve seemingly shrunk in the shadows of the next big thing.

When the days are long and my temper is short, sometimes I forget there was a time when everything I have now is all I wanted then. I forget about the answered prayers.

God, sometimes I forget to say thank you.

For the voices that create a ruckus at the dawn of each day, reminding me of the joy in simply being alive.

For the silence that brings rest after the sun dips below the horizon.

For the arms that wrap around me.

For the hands that hold mine.

For the breath in my lungs, and theirs.

When it’s been a day and I’m desperate for sleep, sometimes I forget to say thank you for the warmth of a home and the comfort of a bed – even when I can’t stay in it for as long as I’d like.

God, sometimes I forget to say thank you.

For love and loyalty.

For shared laughter and sacred tears.

For the firsts I’ve been a part of and the second chances I’ve been given.

For the titles of “mother” and “wife.”

God, sometimes I forget to say thank you.

For hope.

And forgiveness.

And grace upon grace.

For the miracles in every day, the work of your hands ever-present.

God, sometimes I forget to say thank you for this life I don’t deserve. Over and over I forget.

But today, I listened. I looked. I lingered. I loved and was loved. I breathed in hope for the future and breathed out guilt from the past.

And I remembered.

So, thank you, God. Thank you, a thousand times over. For this life. For another day, another chance to give credit where credit is due. Thank you, God, for reminding me of the goodness I so easily forget.