I am at my 12^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 previous years:

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

Now here are my thoughts from 2015:

• I am grateful for the ability to live and be the BEST me each and every day.  Life is precious, don’t waste it.
• I am grateful for my husband and his unconditional love and support.
• I am grateful for the new friends I have made this year both in daily life and on Facebook.
• I am grateful for my trainer who has helped me develop strength that I didn’t know I had.
• I am grateful for the ability to travel, hike, swim, dive, and live each day to it’s fullest.
• I am grateful for a warm bed to sleep in every night.
• I am grateful for the opportunity to share my life changing choices with a world full of people with the hope that I can help at least one person achieve their best life.
• I am grateful for wonderful doctors who support what I do from both near and far.
• I am grateful for being able to work with some amazing people sharing the message of caring, educating, supporting and coaching.
• I am grateful for my daughter and grandkids and all of my extended family.
• I am grateful to have “Never In My Wildest Dreams” moments pop up unexpectedly on a regular basis.
• I am grateful for not being hungry all the time.
• I am grateful for each and every one of you who take the time to read my words and share your journeys with me.

Have a wonderful, healthy Thanksgiving 2015!