Thanks, Before & After
I never intended to tell you anything about this，but since I became an adult I discovered that the meaning of Thanksgiving sure isn't what it used to be．
When I was younger，I remember receiving the inevitable homework assignment to write an essay on “Something I Am Thankful For．” Then，I'd spend a lot of time sitting in my room trying to figure out just what in the world that could possibly be，and I'd end up writing down everything I could think of from God to environmental consciousness．
But after having children，my priorities have clearly changed．
Before children：I was thankful to have been born in the United States of America－－the most powerful，free，democracy in the world．
After children：I am thankful for Velcro1) tennis shoes．As well as saving valuable time，now I can hear the sound of my son taking off his shoes which gives me three extra seconds to activate the safety locks on the backseat windows right before he hurls2) them out of the car and onto the freeway．
Before children：I was thankful for fresh，organic vegetables．
After children：I am thankful for microwavable macaroni3) and cheese－－without which my children would be surviving on about three bites of cereal and their own spit．
Before children：I was thankful for the opportunity to obtain a college education and have a higher quality of life than my ancestors．
After children：I am thankful to finish a complete thought without being interrupted．
Before children：I was thankful for holistic4) medicine and natural herbs．
After children：I am thankful for any pediatric5) cough syrup6) guaranteed to “cause drowsiness7)” in young children．
Before children：I was thankful for the opportunity to vacation in exotic foreign countries so I could experience a different way of life in a new culture．
After children：I am thankful to have time to make it all the way down the driveway to get the mail．
Before children：I was thankful for a warm，cozy home to share with my loved ones．
After children：I am thankful for the lock on the bathroom door．
Before children：I was thankful for material objects like custom8) furniture，a nice car，and trendy clothes．
After children：I am thankful when the baby spits up and messes my good shoes．
Before children：I was thankful for my wonderful family．
After children：I am thankful for my wonderful family．
