Attitude of Gratitude

What kind of person do you want to be?
When I think about my response to this question, I immediately think of my mother's thankful attitude even during some of the hardest points in her life.
Around this time last year, my mom was unable to bend her right knee and couldn't put any weight on it. She was kicked by my steer after weigh-in at my county fair, breaking her tibia and tearing her MCL. She had to get a bone graft by her patella and multiple rods and screws inserted. Unable to drive, unable to walk without crutches, looking at months of recovery and months of physical therapy, having to relearn how to walk correctly, years worth of pain left to endure, and aches and pains that will never entirely go away where only some of the things my mother had to deal with, all while homeschooling two elementary school kids.Despite all of her physical limitations, my mother kept a positive attitude in everything she did. She still showed up for all of my brother's games without fail, supported me in all of my FFA and speech contests, helped my sister with anything she needed, and was always there as a listening ear. To an outside eye, my mom had every right to complain and be miserable; but she chose to be grateful and thankful for what she had. 
We're all going through different things this holiday season: loss of friends or family, discontent with life, financial struggles, school stress, relationships or friendships ending, or any number of things I haven't named. No matter how hard it gets, be thankful for what you have and enjoy the life you have. 
Focus on the good because when you do, the bad gets better. 
With gratitude and joy,Christina Caldwell