I am thankful for...

In honour of Thanksgiving 2011 (in Canada, eh) here are 8 things for which I am thankful.

1. My family.  

Currently my brother is on the other side of the country.  But my parents are close and I see them often.  I am lucky to have very supportive parents who have been there through the good and the bad.  My dad is Mr Fix-It and my mom always lends an ear for my thoughts.  I talk to my mother online every day.  I probably don't say it often enough... I love my family.

 

2. My job. 

I work in a health food store full time and get to order in all the gluten-free goodies that I want.  I like to help customers, especially those with Celiac... newly diagnosed customers are my fave :P  Most days I love my job.

3. My cats.  

I don't live with "my" cats anymore... but I am thankful to have grown up with my black cat since grade 4 and my ginger cat for the last couple years.

They are complete opposites when it comes to personality (and appearance) but I love them both. I go home to visit them once or twice a week.  If I had kids they would be on this list... but since I don't, the cats claim their spot.

Friendly and sometimes crazy cat

Grumpy cat

4. Live in Canada

It might sound cheesy, but I am thankful to live in a country that encourages freedom of speech, has great education opportunities, offers free healthcare and has changing seasons.

5. My health
Aside from having Celiac Disease and a few related symptoms and vitamin/mineral issues, I have no major health issues and am thankful for that.  There are many diseases out there that require (expensive) medications or painful treatments/surgeries, so I am happy that all I have to do is cut gluten from my diet.

6. Roof over my head

And a nice kitchen to bake gluten-free goodies in :)

This picture is clearly from before I moved all my stuff in.  Counterspace quickly diminishes when you put in all your knick-knacks.

7. Restaurants and people in general becoming more aware of the gluten-free diet

I was diagnosed nearly 6 years ago and have seen gluten-free products and options explode in stores, restaurants and bakeries.  More and more information is becoming available and I often talk with people who are either gluten-free themselves or know someone who does not eat gluten, for various reasons.  Mind you, I work in a health food store so I probably encounter more gluten-free people than the average person.

8. Internet

I love that I can research information online and have an answer within minutes.  The Internet has allowed me to communicate with so many others with Celiac Disease and it allows us to share gluten-free information with others.  I have had the opportunity to "meet" so many wonderful Celiacs out there.

Thanks to the Internet, I am able to share my list of gluten-free restaurants and bakeries.  I also like that I can complete my school courses online, without ever having to leave the comfort of home.

I'm probably forgetting something... but that's all I got for now.  My brain is on vacation today :)

Happy Thanksgiving!