Like all of you, I get very tired at the end of the week. Being a single parent is an awesome responsibility that never ends! The job description is endless and constantly changing. Let’s not forget that it is generally thankless as well. But as we approach Thanksgiving Day, I have found my mind drifting to all that I have for which I am thankful…

The wonderful gift of my two daughters that I have watched grow from cuddly infants to independent, unique young women…

The life experiences that I would never have found if I had stayed married – such as learning to deal with car mechanics, electricians, and plumbers by standing on my own two feet and being prepared instead of depending on someone else to make sure I didn’t get ripped off...

The capabilities that I found I had when I landed in situations I never would have dealt with on my own – like the fact that I really know my way around toilet ‘innards’, can ‘snake’ a sewer drain with the best of them (the guy at the rental shop says that I am faster than the professionals that rent from him), can haggle with the toughest salesman, and wild varmits don’t scare me in the least… [Ask me about that one through my e-mail – SingleParents@BellaOnline.com.]

The wonderful opportunities to develop close and personal relationships with my daughters because they have never had to share me with anyone else…

The fact that I have seen my lessons taught become reality in the way my daughters pick their friends, stand up for what they believe in, and encourage others in their endeavors (even me)…

The strength of women that has been revealed to me in my experiences as a single mother…

Friendships – deep, personal, real friendships with other single parents…

The opportunity to learn that if I am going to tell my daughters that they can do anything and make them believe it, then I have to believe it for myself…

Faith – in God, myself, my daughters, other people, and the world in general… I realize that sometimes this one is very hard to believe, but most people are inherently good. Even good people find themselves in bad situations…

Hope – for the future, for inner peace, for a day when I will see my own daughters be the good parents that I have taught them how to be, for a day when I achieve my own dreams and see my daughters achieve theirs…

Love – of life, of self, for my children, for friends, for family, for this world in which we life…but mostly of the beauties of this gift that I have been given…

Where would I be if I were not a single parent? I am not sure that I want to find out, because the blessing I have received thus far are ones that I would never want to trade…

Count your blessings…they are more numerous than you realize. And have a very Happy Thanksgiving!