It is so ironic when… The things you are most thankful for, also entice hurt. The things you love most, bring on anxiety. The things that motivate you, bring depression. The things you are great at, become most challenging. I am so very thankful for the blessing of having my wife and children, who surround me and love me everyday. Ironically, sometimes it is most challenging to love them back because of the lack of feeling worthy. Because of mistakes that have been made, become so overwhelming, even though all I want to do is love on them, do I actually deserve to. Do they deserve for other parts of life, work, medical issues, misunderstandings…to effect me so much I get overly frustrated and yell first. Overly anxious and take me overdriven mind out on them. Depressed, to where I shut the door on the outreached arms. As much as the world around me causes many, what feel to be negative feelings these days, it is not them who deserve my poor attitude. So then the anxiety, depression, and unworthiness is compounded and maximized. And yet, I still get to be thankful, because the most important people are right there, reaching their arms out. Wanting to throw the football around. Wanting to do workouts together. Wanting me to watch them grow and get better at volleyball, cheerleading, other games. They want to show me how good they are becoming at life and express their thankfulness for the things we get to do together. The thankfulness, love, and respect outweigh the difficult; nonetheless, some days are down right defeating. Thanks for the challenging thoughts!