The Good Vibes Contest Round Two - 'Five Things I'm Grateful For'

In this long journey that we call life there are many things that I have to thank for, I would like to share them with all of you:

1.- Being alive and healthy:

We do not pay attention to our health until we get really sick and start to long for it, we are used to taking it for granted.

When I was 37 years old I was diagnosed with cancer, my life changed at that very moment. I had to fight a very hard battle against it but in the end I was able to win, that's why I appreciate being alive, being able to breathe and not feeling any pain. I learned to really enjoy the beautiful things of my life like my family, friends, nature, that beautiful blue sky above us, I enjoy every minute of life as if it were the last and I know that if I am healthy I can overcome any obstacle.

2.- My mom, my siblings:

I'm grateful for having a very close family, my mom and my brothers are my support and I count on them in the times of need. Having a family that loves you and accepts you is wonderful, when I visit my mom I can take out the girl I always carry inside, who wants to be spoiled and loved.

3.- My wonderful husband Rafael:

Who I met when I was 19 years old in college and today 30 years later we are still together enjoying our love story. He took care of me when I got sick, he was my nurse, my support in the most difficult times and I will never be able to thank him for so much care and dedication.

As years have gone by we've built a relationship based on respect, love and mutual admiration; we've learned to accept our mistakes. The most important thing in our relationship is a good communication, we never go to sleep angry.

He is and always will be my prince charming.

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4.- Being a mother:

I could only conceive a daughter, her name is Raquel (the spanish form of Rachel, since we're from latinamerica) and she is the most wonderful gift that life has given me, she is 20 years old and she is a third year medical student, she has excellent grades and I am very proud of her, I'm sure she'll be a great professional.

I love my daughter, I think she is made out of the best of my husband and me, some people say that she looks a lot like both of us, although I think her face looks so much more like her dad's.

She is the light of my life and I thank God for the opportunity of being a mother.

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5.- My own home:

For many years I lived with my mother-in-law, a beautiful woman who gave me her love and her home, but I always dreamed of having my own house and decorating it to my liking, having a beautiful garden and a pet. After much effort and work today I have a beautiful cat named Nina and my small but cozy house, my refuge and where I can always be myself.