It's Mines

Many people stop and contemplate the various things they are blessed with during this time of the year, and of course I am no different.

It never ceases to amaze me how very many things I have to count when I think about how many ways God has blessed me – with so many gifts, both seen and unseen.

The seen is easy to understand, as I have been blessed with my husband and all three children.

Even though our family has been hit with many blows over the past few years, the kind of emotional blows that knock people on their backside, we are all still standing and with a better understanding of each other.

At least I think so.

I have been blessed to have my husband, Scott, in my life for over 20 years now.

And oh so very blessed to have such a strong man next to me as we dodge the punches and ride the roller coaster of life – no matter which one of us brings them.

I was blessed with three children, Thad, Maria and Zoey, who I am not just very proud of but also recognize and know that even though we have had our moments they are three very, very good kids.

Not angels by any means! But nonetheless very good kids.

I am blessed to have my sister Crystal Hankins back in my life and to see her family grow and prosper.

And that she is making me an aunt again and giving my nephew, Gabe, a brother or sister.

I have been blessed with two talents I have been able to put to use in the work force in a job I consider to be a blessing as well – even on the tough days.

I have been blessed to meet some of the most interesting, hardworking and giving people I have ever encountered in my life, while working at my primary job – yes here writing and taking pictures.

I have been blessed with a boss willing to let me do what I am good at in this business and to have a co-worker who brightens my day every day!

I have been blessed to be able to take pictures of so many wonderful children in my “second” job – something I am not willing to give up.

On some of the worst days over the past few months taking their pictures has raised my spirits and put the smile back on my face.

I have been blessed to still have a roof over my head, food to eat, clothes to wear, pets to love, the friends I have who love me for me, a car to drive (though I like to walk too), the snow falling outside as I write this, the garden that produces beautifully every year for us, the flowers that bloom, my Yogi tea, the neighbors I have, the town I live in, that I finally have a place use all the useless knowledge I have in my head and to be able to smile through the pain.

But my blessings don’t stop with the seen – or what you see on my outside, the unseen are a bit harder to understand and for some to grasp but…

First, I have been blessed with a life in which I have been able to both see and identify when God has been working not just on me but in me – and around me.

And even though many people will not understand a handful of the things I count as blessings, because so many look at these things as tragedies, I am still blessed for having endured them.

Besides, if I am to keep to my honest nature, which I feel is very important, then I must account for these as well.

I am blessed to have three of the most influential people in my life by my side, despite the fact they are now deceased.

The things I learned from each, my sister, my mother and my paternal grandmother, are gifts I could not have learned from anyone else.

I was blessed to know several kinds of deaths – sudden, witnessing and after a long life – for all three taught me what it is to appreciate life and all it brings no matter what the age is in which death comes.

I am blessed to understand what it is to live through pain, for without this I wouldn’t be able to truly live.

I have been blessed with every heartache I have ever felt, because without those my heart could not soar.

I have been blessed by the understanding that God is in everything.

(Something I do not need everyone to agree with me on – for I feel blessed to also understand that believing in God is truly a blessing.)

To end this week’s column I would like to share my Yogi tea saying that I couldn’t help but feel as if it fit….

‘Delight the world with compassion, kindness and grace.’ ~ Yogi Tea sayings.

May you all have a wonderful holiday season – no matter what you celebrate or how!

Contact Tina Mines at [email protected]