Teaching at the school I work at now and getting to know the families of my students more and more has made me really realize how lucky and blessed I am to have some pretty wonderful people in my life. Day in and day out, I see the love that these parents show for their children – children whom I have come to love just as much – and it makes me constantly recall a lot of wonderful memories I had growing up: my dad taking me on the “It’s a Small World” ride at Disneyland numerous times in a row because he knew how much I loved it; game night with my mom and hearing her laugh at all the fun we were having; watching my older sister (we’re 10 years apart) get ready to go out to a party while I jumped on the bed, all while listening to Duran Duran or Prince; playing video games with my brother, and finally learning some good moves at Street Fighter 2 because of him; and my younger sister and I playing with our dogs and taking them for walks.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, giving thanks is obviously on my mind (how could it not be – stores were selling Thanksgiving and Christmas related items even before Halloween arrived). There are so so soooo many things I am blessed with aside from family and of course my hubby, who has given me everything I have ever wanted – I finally have my dream job, we have a roof over our head, enough food on the table, two wonderful dogs to share our lives and love with, and of course, my friends.

I lost a good friend a few months ago. I don’t know what happened, really. Things were going good with us, but then I wasn’t able to come through on something that she asked of me, so I sent her a message of apology and all I got was a message back saying that if I wanted to talk that I had to call her (so my message wasn’t good enough). I didn’t call her, and she ended up deleting me off of her friends list on MySpace (I know, I know – it’s lame to consider that drama, but that says a LOT). I didn’t understand and was upset when she called me and asked why I deleted her off my list, which I didn’t. Anyway, I didn’t want to deal with the drama so I just let it go. We haven’t spoken since then, and I know that she is dealing with a lot in her family and personal life so I want nothing more than to be able to call her and see how she is doing, but I can’t bring myself to do it.

More recently, I see myself drifting further apart from a friend who I considered one of my closest. Actually, I don’t see us drifting anymore – we’re totally disconnected. There was no drama associated with it – our lives are just leading us in different directions. Even though we are such opposites in so many ways, there was always a connection we had that kept us laughing at the lamest jokes and having the deepest conversations about anything and everything. We’ve been friends for so many years and I hate to see us losing touch, but will always look forward to the day when we can reconnect.

With that said, I do want to say that I’m not sad or upset about either of those situations. It is what it is, and everything happens for a reason – and if anything, what it has taught me is to be grateful for the family and friends I have in my life that keep me going day in and day out. To them, I owe all my thanks and adoration for being there for me no matter what:

Mom and Dad: the STRONGEST people I have ever known. we had our ups and downs growing up, but you always provided for all us kids and now it is nice to hear how proud you are of how successful we have all turned out to be – and that is all thanks to YOU. you taught me what it means to work hard and earn your keep and because of that, I am now a more responsible person, a better wife, and one day it will make me be the best mom I can be. I love you with all that I am.

OTT, JVC, and CC: the greatest siblings anyone could ask for. we have had our blow-outs, that’s for sure, but one thing I would bet my life on is that I know I can always count on you to be there for me. We’re siblings by chance, but friends by choice, and I am grateful to God for blessing me with you. Thank you for helping to lead me in the right direction when you saw that I was straying from the right path and putting me in my place when I needed it (I know it was all out of love for me). I love you all very much.

CGC and CMC: when I became an auntie after CGC was born, I felt complete. when I became an auntie again after CMC was born, I felt saved. you kids are my WORLD. I would do anything for you because I see you as my own kids in many ways. when I was going through a really dark time in my life, I always saw the brighter side of life just by picturing your faces in my mind and that is why I say that you saved me. I love you both with all my heart – probably more than you will ever know.

JCC: yeah, okay, I didn’t like you when I was a kid, but that’s only because I felt like you were taking my older sister away from me by being her boyfriend. when you married her, I felt nervous because now that you were a part of our family, I felt like I should start being nice to you (I know I sounded like such a brat, but I was only a kid and I didn’t understand! hehe). and when you almost died 2 years ago, I felt such extreme love for you and hoped that you felt it and that it would help pull you through. you are such a wonderful brother and I thank you for being a great husband to my sister and father to CGC and CMC. I love you, big bro!

Mom and Dad Carpio: seriously, I lucked out in the in-law department. You always hear stories about how women hate their MIL’s or how men clash with their FIL’s, but hubby and I are so fortunate that when we married each other, we both gained a new set of parents who are just as great as our own. you have treated me like your own daughter from day one, and I don’t deserve all the kindness you’ve shown me, but I am grateful for it. I love you both very much.

JR and MNC: I never thought anyone could top my own brother and sisters, but then you both came along and I realized that I love you as much as them and that i was so lucky to have a new brother and sister! I’ve told you before but I’ll say it again – I’m always here for the both of you because you mean so much to me. Thank you for accepting me into your family and for always treating me with such kindness and respect. I love you guys!!

The High School Buddies: (especially Isabel, Alexandrina, Minnette, Georgina, Christine, Cecilia, Patti, Elisia, and Alicia) thanks to the fabulousness of MySpace we have found each other and been able to keep in touch. you girls set the bar for what I looked for in a friend because of how wonderful you were to me. we had a lot of fun and I will never forget any of you for being such angels to me. I love you forever!

Aurora, my “Funny Cupcake”: I feel like we’ve been friends forever, but we haven’t even known each other for an entire year. I could never have asked for a better co-worker than you. The kids in our class had so much fun when we were together, and I hope you know that I was only able to be my best at work because I knew you had my back no matter what I did. I’ve never known anyone quite like you – you truly are the best girl friend I have. Thanks for never letting me down and for accepting me with all my shortcomings. I love you like a sister.

KD and JD: I worked for your company for 4 years before leaving to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher. I honestly only took the job because I needed it, not because it was what I wanted to do. But after getting to know you and the company’s vision and direction, I started to realize that I really enjoyed and loved my job and it made me want to become better at it everyday, especially because of all the positive reinforcement all the directors gave me. Thanks to all the opportunities you provided me, I was able to purchase my very first car on my own, purchase our first home, and pay for (some of) the wedding of our dreams (the rest was thanks to mom and dad! hehe). I will be forever grateful to you both.

Loli: I know we didn’t talk too much in high school – you were a grade below me and you ran more with my sister’s crowd. but I do want to say that I love the “renewed friendship” that has blossomed between us – all thanks to – yes, once again – MySpace. everytime I see that you posted a blog on your personal blog or on MySpace, I get so excited to read it! You are so well spoken and you write with such depth (and always with a humorous edge to it!) that I find myself re-reading your posts over and over again. whether you know it or not, you’ve influenced many of the decisions I’ve made in my life in recent years and I thank you for being such an impression on me. I love you lots – and I will make it to one of your parties some day if it kills me!!

My 3 favorite bloggers – Wife of Boober, Just Keep Swimming, and Surviving Baby: I hate that we all share in common what we share in common, but I do have to tell you that you 3 have been a tremendous support and blessing in my life. we’ve never met in person, yet I’ve revealed some of my deepest secrets and desires to you just through my writing, and you’ve done the same by sharing your writing with me. many times when I wanted to sit and blame myself for what happened, you 3 never let me do that. you reassured me that it wasn’t anything I did that caused us to lose baby C and you kept me motivated and ready to face another day. you have my utmost respect and deepest appreciation. thank you so much.

I could keep going on and on, but these are the people I really wanted to thank for being such influential parts of my life. There are so many, of course, who I didn’t get to mention on here, and I hope their feelings are not hurt and that they don’t read into any “hidden reason” as to why I didn’t mention them, because there is no hidden reason to look for. Good night

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough – Meister Eckhardt