Thankful
The holidays are a time when I find myself reflecting on the year that I'm about to leave behind. I get very sentimental this time of year and very emotional. This year has been full of blessings. I got married to a man who is beyond kind to me—a man whom I'm madly in love with. We had the most beautiful, intimate wedding surrounded by our closest friends and family. There was a peace for both of us in knowing that every single person there would be in our lives till the end. Just that revelation alone, of knowing who was really going to be there and who had been there through it all was a true blessing. I've lived a life full of doubt, never trusting most anyone I’ve come into contact with. So it’s been a beautiful year of letting go and trusting.
My husband is a true blessing. He goes out of his way on a daily basis to make sure I know just how much he loves me and how dedicated he is to our marriage and our family. We have had many obstacles to overcome and a million things thrown at us in our first year as a married couple. Including moving cross country for 2 1/2 months for Eddie's work! All of those obstacles have shown us just how strong we are as a couple. I'm thankful for those obstacles, even though at the time lots of things seemed very overwhelming. There's always a reason for everything and I see and believe in that now more than ever.
Who knew I'd love being a "bonus mom" to our kids so much. They have changed me more than I ever could put into words. Let me tell you, my life is not like I ever imagined it would be, but it's a beautiful and very interesting ride I'm on. I get to be a kid again. Really, be the kid I never got to be by having the boys in my life. It's amazing to see the world through innocent eyes. It's opened up a place in my heart I didn't know existed. I'm thankful for those two little souls.
I'm so thankful that I’m able to talk to my family, especially my mother like I never have before. Parents won't approve of everything we do or have done and there was so much freedom I found this year in being able to share all of the good, the bad and the ugly with my sweet mom. I have such a different appreciation for all of my family. I know, in the New Year, we will embark on a very truthful, trusting, powerful journey that we've honestly never had.
I mended friendships this year that needed mending. I said I'm sorry for things I could have easily left alone, because they were done and over with, but I sought out old friends and told them I loved them and took responsibility for my part in any negative situation. I'm thankful for the happiness that this brought them and me.
I released an album "Lady & Gentlemen," that I'm incredibly proud of. I'm at such a clear place in my music and in my career that I honestly could never have been without having recorded "Lady & Gentlemen" at the time that I did. I rediscovered my love for creating and I'm so excited for the future.
I shot a movie "Reel Love" with the incredible Burt Reynolds. I'm proud of myself for overcoming so much fear when it comes to acting. I learn every time I do something new. I felt like a little girl again a few weeks ago when I said the same thing about film that I did about music when I was 5, "I really love this. I want to be great!” I believed it then and worked my butt off for it. Why couldn't I believe it now about something new, exciting and challenging and work my butt off for it again? I believe it's going to be a huge part in the next chapter of my life. But who knows what life is going to bring. I've set my goals, I always set them high, but I know life can throw me curve balls and lead me down a different path. Still, it was exciting to feel like a kid again, wide eyed and passionate about a world I've yet to fully explore and proud of my growth in my work. I'm thankful for the people that have believed in me when I haven't and have given me a chance to learn.
I am beyond thankful for my health, my strength, my clarity, my spiritual growth and my ability to be alone with myself and feel comfortable. I found out I kinda like ME after all!
I could go on and on and I'm thankful for that alone. You start writing things down and you realize there's been a lot more of the good than the bad, and so many blessings. Thank you to my fans for always being there. I wish you all the happiest of Thanksgivings!
