Thank You to all of YOU

I have to tell all of my amazing readers "Thank You!"  I received a pretty amazing email this morning about this blog, and I was so flattered and touched by the words they wrote to me.  I have the most amazing readers and people who just fall upon this blog by accident.  Thank you for letting me into your lives.  Thank you for letting me into your homes.  And most importantly, thank you for letting me into your soul.

I hear from people how I inspire them, or how something I have written about or said has gotten them through a rough time in their life.  I can't explain what each of you have gotten me through.  A lot of you think I'm so strong, and have this positive attitude all the time, but you don't see the days where I sit and cry because I can't eat, or I complain to Dave because I'm nauseated (again) or I whine because I only have a couple of hours of energy a day.  Those are the days when I know God loves me, because I will get on my email and have an amazing letter from someone I have never met.  

You each lift me in ways I can't explain and can never thank you enough for.  You got me through 18+ surgeries.  You supported me when I didn't know where to turn for help, and you have been there from the beginning when Dave and I felt so alone.  It has meant so much to my husband and I that we've always had this blog for support.  I know that I can sit down at my computer and write my feelings and just be "Jilli" and that you will accept me and love me as I am.  Not very many people in this world feel that way, so thank you for accepting me, as flawed as I am.

I'm moved to tears so many days by the comments, letters, emails, text messages, and phone calls, that I receive from people I have never even met telling me that they read something I wrote and it lifted them when they were down.  I wish you could see the strength that gives me to continue fighting.  There have been so many days where I have wanted to give up, stop trying, and let go.  In those moments one of you special individuals must know what I need because you are always there.  You each have so much amazing love in your heart, and I thank you for sharing that love with me.

Thank you for your love, support, kindness, hugs, letters, words of encouragement, kind devotion, and faith in me.  I can't express in words what you have done for my life.  You have made me into a woman that I have become very proud to be.  You have built me up and carried me on your shoulders in the hardest times of my life, and I have come out on top because of you.  So as much as each of you tell me that I have done something for you, please know that it is only because of the love you've shown me that I am able to express my gratitude for the life I have.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!  Thank you, for being the most perfectly flawed, amazing, beautiful, fabulous, and talented; YOU!

42 of Life's Greatest Lesson's

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 42 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.”

“My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:”

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it..

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it...

14 Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

15. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

16. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

17. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

20. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

22. The most important sex organ is the brain.

23. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

25. Always choose life.

26. Forgive but don’t forget.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does..

31. Believe in miracles.

32. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

33. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

34. Your children get only one childhood.

35. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

36. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

37. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

38. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

39. The best is yet to come...

40. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

41. Yield.

42. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.