As promised, today I wanted to blog about the Top 10 Things I Am Most Thankful For This Year. There are many, many things but I think I’ve narrowed it down to the 10 that are most important to me …

1. Ty & Kieran, my two amazing, happy, healthy boys.

2. Being in remission

3. My family and friends. This one will be a little lengthy but there are so many people I am thankful for, I need to mention a few. First, of course, I am thankful to Brian for not killing my children while I was away for so long and for always taking care of us. For my dad for his frequent visits to the hospital, his food deliveries and for helping us get through a very challenging time. For my brother and Steph for all of their help and support. For Ginger and my Aunt Helen for staying and taking care of my kids. For Amy for being the best and closest thing I have to a sister. And for the rest of my family – Aunt Martha, Uncle Bob, Sarah, Mike, Grandma and so many other cousins and extended family near and far who have supported me through this in so many ways. And, although we’re not related, for Mike and Peggy who truly are extended family, for taking so much time to care for my kids.

As for my friends, I am thankful for ALL of you but I have to thank Heather, Robyn, Holly and Melly for your daily love, support, shoulders to lean on, medical advice, kid watching and so much more. I could have never got through these last few months without you guys. For Gigi, Anya, Julie and Irene for satisfying emergency food cravings and making ad-hoc parties in my hospital room. For Phaedra, Amanda, Philip, Gina, Kim K., Hillary and everyone else at FSMS who babysat my kids or delivered food to my house and came to visit me at the hospital. For Matt and Jim for our visits and great conversations. For Chip and Paul and all of the other people who made me laugh and cry with your comments on my blog. I know I am leaving people out, but I am thankful for all of you. Yes, being in the hospital sucked, but the memories I have made, the philosophical conversations that were had and the laughter and tears along the way are irreplaceable. And I now I have the largest collection of SuperGirl goodies large and small to remind me of each of you!

4. Dark chocolate.

5. Music and my iPod. During the most difficult times, having songs to escape to helped me through bone marrow biopsies, blood transfusions, stem cell harvesting and plenty of anxious moments. It also taught me how to meditate, shared incredibly inspirational stories and made me laugh. In my normal life, music allows me to dance in my kitchen, sing at the top of my lungs in my car and provide a daily soundtrack to all of the ups and downs. Old songs remind me of memories from long ago while new songs take their place in the memories of the moments I am going through now. My kids have taken on my taste in music so I can’t help but smile when Ty sings Kings of Leon or Beastie Boys songs in the backseat of the car and Kieran requests “fast songs that mommy runs to,” like Fat Boy Slim. At least I know I’ve given them music to carry on in their lives.

6. My blessed life. I’ve been lucky to have two good parents, a nice house over my head, money for education and a fairly easy life compared to the struggles that so many must go through. I am grateful for that and hope never to take advantage of it.

7. Exercise and yoga.

8. Good food to nourish my body and soul and knowing how to cook.

9. My parents for teaching me to be the person I am today, giving me the strength I have to face adversity and the encouragement and support to do whatever I wanted with my life.

10. Did I say dark chocolate already? Ok, seriously, the last (but not least) thing I am so grateful for this year are the nurses, doctors and new friends that I had/have at the University of Maryland Medical Center. In particular, Dr. Goja (my oncologist), Trish and Roseann (my nurses) and Brian and Elizabeth from Ulman Fund. I have also found incredible inspiration in Michael and Dan, two AML warriors who have shared their stories and their families with me and given me added strength to know I can get through this. All of you have inspired me and made this journey so much easier and more positive than I could have ever imagined.

This list certainly doesn’t cover everything. I also want to thank Claire and Jackie and everyone at Parents’ Choice for their support and for sticking with me and still having work for me to do after all of this. And I want to thank friends, family and complete strangers from all walks of my life who have read my blog and shared my story. Oh, and wigs and eyebrow pencils and the right shade of lipstick that help make me feel more normal. When my eyelashes and the rest of my hair grow back, boy will I be grateful for that! I still feel like I’m leaving things out, but you get the point that I am DARN GRATEFUL! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Savor your friends, family and good food!