Frankenstorm and Gratitude – The Military Family

My friend, Ann Marie over at Household 6 Diva recently posted on Facebook this epiphany:

There is always, always, always, always, always,something to be thankful for. #pinterestproverb

We were really walloped by Frankenstorm Sandy. Folks in my area lost power in the storm on Monday, October 29th, and finally had it restored Sunday morning, November 4th. (I’m one of the lucky few to never have lost it.) Kids were out of school for ‘inclement weather’ (to say the least) for two, three and four days. Basements were flooded. Trees were down. Roads impassable. Yet, there were SO FEW posts on Facebook from my friends that were negative.

A Hurricane and Gratitude? Can it be? Keep Reading

I saw an abundant amount of posts about how thankful they were for friends and family that helped them out. Never mind that these (for the most part) young families were out of their home, out of their element. The electricity had been out for days, the freezers had defrosted by now. The basements were wet / very wet /. The houses were frigid. The tree limbs (and whole trees in quite a few cases) littered yards. The kids were at each others’ throats. Marital counseling had even been thrown out there. (I did chuckle at a few ‘Hurricane-Mom’ posts too) We are in Ohio! Who ever heard of a Hurricane walloping us with only the shores of Lake Erie to boast about? But back to my original point. It is the tragedy that so often brings out the gratitudeand these friends wrote about what they were so very thankful for amidst all the turmoil.

Which brings you to my week. This may sound inconsequential to you but Friday before Frankenstorm I developed a canker sore. Oh, Leanne, really?! You are blogging about this?

Yes, yes, I am. Through the next couple of days it blew up. The left side of my face looked like it had been punched, literally. The glands under my neck and into my jaw puffed up. My lip blew up four times it’s usual size. I can’t even begin to describe how much it hurt. And it was visible! It was not even on the inside of my mouth it was on my lip. Taking a step out my door left me feeling awkward, uncomfortable, downright embarrassed. But I did. I had to. Life goes on, puffed up, ugly lip or not. By the way I have pictures. I have chosen not to share them. You are welcome!

But here’s my moral, there’s always one right? Don’t for a minute judge someone just by the way they look, by the bags under their eyes, by the frown on their face, by the visible or invisible scars. It may be temporary. It may be a lot more permanent then they would like. They probably just want you to look them in the EYES and listen. You may just be what they need to find the courage to beat whatever it is that is beating them up. Treat them like you would want to be treated is the Golden Rule.
That leaves me to sum up this whole post. When you are battling your battles. Do you dwell on the ‘woe is me’ or do you say ‘Wow, I am so thankful for….” Remember, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for.

– Leanne from MilitaryAvenue.com

Join Us byLeanne KocsisonMonday, November 05, 2012 Email This BlogThis!Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to PinterestMilitary Life:Leanne