I am at my 10^th Thanksgiving since having weight loss surgery and I take this time to reflect on what I am grateful for.  First, here are my thoughts from 2012:

Here we go:

• I am grateful for my health
• I am grateful for my family and their unyielding support
• I am grateful that I live in a beautiful country where I can speak my mind, both as a woman and a citizen
• I am grateful for my friends
• I am grateful for the tremendous support of the entire weight loss surgery community.  I am humbled each and every day as I read and reply to messages from all over the world.
• I am grateful for the knowledge and education that has resulted in weight loss surgery being able to save my life and that of hundreds of thousands of others.
• I am grateful for the kindness and generosity of the weight loss surgery community that has led to the creation and sustaining and growth of the Weight Loss Surgery foundation of America.
• I am grateful that organizations like the Obesity Action Coalition exist to foster research and education into the causes and potential cures for obesity and to fight for our rights on a political level day in and day out.
• I am grateful for all of the friends I have made while on this amazing journey since 2004.
• I am grateful to be alive.

I have so much to be thankful for this year, and next year will have even more.  That is how it has been for me since I made the decision to have lap band surgery.  My life changes daily for the better, I age more like a fine wine growing better each year, learning more about the world around me as well as myself each and every day.

Now, here are my 2014 thoughts to add on to last year’s:

• I am grateful each and every day for the gift of a life that I now get to live to the fullest each day
• I am grateful to have met and married my soul mate in 1968, after knowing him for only 3 weeks.  This makes me grateful for love at first sight.
• I am grateful for the continued ability to travel and experience parts of this beautiful country.
• I am grateful for new friends and associates made every day of this past year
• I am grateful to be able to share my experiences with others in this community and to offer them HOPE
• I am grateful that the generosity of the weight loss surgery community continues to grow and support the growth of the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America to offer HOPE to others
• I am grateful to have met so many bariatric doctors and staff who are caring and want to help their patients succeed after weight loss surgery
• I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to touch other lives as my journey continues

Each and every year I am amazed at the growth I have had since the previous year.  My 10^th Thanksgiving after LAP BAND surgery I am grateful that I continue to learn more each and every day.