I was visiting Stephen Hopson over at Adversity University and he's started a gratitude theme - a weekly look back at who or what he is grateful for. I love that concept.

In one of the many Jan Karon novels following the life of Father Timothy Kavanagh in Mitford, Father Tim has a long drive ahead of him and decides to spend the time giving thanks for each of the things in his life for which he was grateful. I loved that idea and on many occasions, often when I'm having trouble sleeping, I will begin to list all for which I'm thankful. I fall asleep long before my list is over.

So I'm going to take a page from Stephen's blog and dedicate this post to some of the people for which I am most grateful this week:

The surgeons and support medical staff in Arizona who successfully operated on my Father yesterday. I am grateful for their skill and knowledge and compassion and especially for the nurse who gave my Dad a back scratch yesterday - it made his day! And for all my friends who joined in offering prayers for his successful surgery.

I am grateful for Chris Brown of Marketing Resources and Results for her support in helping me decide to go into business for myself and for Norma Rist of Norma J. Rist, CEO Consultants who helps keep me motivated and helps me to look at my business with fresh eyes. Her counsel yesterday was powerful and much appreciated.

For the organizational guru and my friend Chris Perrow who stopped by Monday morning to help get my head on straight. Her advice has helped focus my brain and the exercise of creating pockets of time for each of my tasks has helped me be productive at work and fully focused on my children when they are home.

And for Linda Murfin of Above the Crowds travel agency who has put together the most amazing New Year's celebration trip for me and each day she calls with a new twist that makes it even better. I'm packed, Linda! Can't wait.

So who are you thankful for this week? Have you told them?

Deborah