This past month I've been following people's posts on Facebook on what they are thankful for each day. Like many, I am very thankful for my family... my kids, my parents, my friends. I think this Thanksgiving though, what struck me the most, is how thankful I am for the opportunities that have been presented to me.
I really have thought about the sacrifices our parents have made for us to go to college, to go the best schools, to be surrounded by friends and social opportunities. The chain didn't start with our parents either, the grandparents and great-grandparents all contributed. I know that I had thought about this before, but this move has really made me think more about what is best for the family verse my own preference. My own preference is now my family's. A concept that has hit home.
And although I completely believe that pulling yourself up from by your bootstraps (as they say) is possible, it is not easy or common. Even more so, how hard it is to break the chain when your cycle is continually negative - your parents lacked education and resources to provide a safe, nurturing environment.
It's just made me really think how fortunate I am to be able to start providing opportunities to my children with our new house, our new neighborhood and new schools. It is amazing how when things come full circle, being a parent or aging (one or the other), you see these things and it just hits you.
