Dana Hamman

This has been the most beautiful Fall. The trees are turning, the sun is shining and the air is crisp. We’re entering a season that creates stress for most of us…….but when it passes the memories warm our hearts. Most years about this time, I dread the thought of climbing into the attic, decorating, cleaning, shopping and preparing…….but once it’s done, the feeling of the holidays and what they stand for, brings feelings like none other. There are already Christmas carols playing in most stores and no doubt by the weekend there will be Christmas trees on every corner. When it first hit me that it was already time to do the holiday thing again, I was unbelieving and not at all excited, but now, I’m really ready for a wonderful season of friends and celebration. I am in full blown gratitude as I write this entry!

Some of my blessings are:

• My wonderful husband John. This is our first Thanksgiving as a married couple so we’re very excited and eager to spend 4 days curled up watching ballgames and movies. I am blessed to be happy and in love with my husband. We have had an extremely difficult first year with our merger/marriage, attempting to get my house sold and the start up of my business. It’s not exactly the typical first year of bliss that most newlyweds experience but I can honestly say that we lived it, breathed it and shared every aspect of it together and we’re still standing! Now that it is behind us, I give thanks for a year of difficulty that made us stronger and ready to face whatever comes together. I love you baby!
• My children – Kelsey (25) and her husband Daron, Clint (19), Thomas (15) and Lawson (11) are the joys of my life. I’m so very proud of them all and I thank God for giving me such awesome children and for the blessings he’s shown them this year as well. With each passing year, I get more excited to see them evolve! I love you monkeys.
• My family: my parents, Art and Sherry, my father in law John, my sister in law Melissa and my niece and nephew Rachel and Marshall, my Grams, Aunts and Uncles, my cousins…….all of you; I love you all and thank God for you!
• My amazing friends. Lisa & Harv, Gina & Craig, Bonnie, Kris, Elisa & Keith, JoAnna, Katherine, Jennifer & Eric, Nancy and everyone in my book club. I love you guys! I was also able to reconnect with several old friends this year: Cheryl, Susan, Sissy, John, Marv and all my friends on Facebook; thanks so much for catching up! You’re awesome. I’m also thrilled to have made several new friends in 2008 and I can’t wait to get to know you all better next year!
• I am blessed with a wonderful ministry that allows me to help others find a better way to live and how to release the damage from their past. The Boot Camp is a blessing in my life because as I give, I grow. David, Jim, Kay, Emmett, Jeff and Trainers……….I love you all! Thank you for letting me be a part of something so awesome!
• My business is growing and ready to blossom in ‘09. David and Dace, I love you guys and can’t wait for us to blow it out next year!
• John’s Business – slowed down this year but is now getting back on track! Next year will be a record breaker….I just know it! Christi, Rocio, we love and appreciate all you do!
• Foundation Coaching – A big hug and thank you to all my coaching clients. You challenge me and inspire me to be my best! To all the other coaches, I thank you for the time you’ve spent with our clients this year! You’re awesome.

   

I am grateful for you all! Perhaps being a new wife has made me feel all warm and fuzzy this week because I feel so completely overwhelmed with my blessings. If I had a challenge to give to you for this week, it would be to truly connect to the blessings in your life. It’s so cliché to say “I’m blessed”. Do you KNOW that you’re blessed? Tell the people in your life that you love them and appreciate them. We are never promised another year, day or even hour………don’t waste a chance to tell someone you care!

Happy Thanksgiving!