Thankful Thursday

It’s Thankful Thursday hosted by Brian of Brian’s Home. He wants us to post what we’re thankful for.

I think it’s a good thing to do each week. Focus on the positive things in our lives.

Make sure you link up to the Blog Hop at Brian’s Home and get the code to put on your blog. Then visit all the participants.

Moving to Mexico

When I was 18 years old I was working in Thrifty Drug Store in Modesto, California. When summer rolled around a handsome new pharmacist started working there and we caught each others eye. We eventually went out on a date and then another. As the summer wore on we were seeing each other every day. I knew that when summer ended he would return to medical school for his last year. I was heartbroken when he left and figured that would be the end of it.

Several weeks later he asked me to marry him and I accepted. He sent an engagement ring. Not a very romantic way to do it, but there were a lot of miles between us. He scheduled a trip back to Modesto and I packed up and went to Guadalajara, Mexico with him. I was not well traveled and it was a huge learning curve, but I managed to get around very well.

I remained there for four months and eventually we knew that it wasn’t to be. I was to young and he was about to be a physician. It was a world I couldn’t fathom. We parted and I returned home, but I came home with more than when I left. I was pregnant and had my one and only child later that year.

What are you thankful for today?


1. Brian’s Home
2. Messymimi
3. It’s a Snap!
4. Animal Shelter Life
5. Speedy Toby
6. My GBGV Life
7. Curious as a Cathy
8. A Shutterbug
9. Zoolatry
10. Purrseidon
11. FriendsFurEver
12. 15andMeowing
13. Comedy Plus
14. My Minds Eye
15. Catscue
16. Eastside Cats
17. Milo Moments
18. Create with Joy
19. Phamily Blog
20. My Tata’s Cottage
21. Jen’s Musings
22. One Spoiled Cat
23. Little Binky

What is a blog hop?
Get the code here…

69 thoughts on “Thankful Thursday

  1. Kinga K. – Blogger (loveonthebrainbykinga.wordpress.com) | Fanatic of music, books, travels, fashion, sport (Real Madrid & PSG). 📌📍🗺🌎 My instagram : @19kinga_70, Spotify : @19Kinga70, Lubimyczytać : @19kinga_70 🌹🌨 26 years old 🎂 🌍 Location: Katowice, Będzin/ Siewierz (Poland 🇵🇱) E-mail: kingakblog14@gmail.com
    Kinga K. says:

    Such a great story, I like Mexico ❤

  2. My GBGV Life – Minnesota, USA – I am a GBGV, Grand Basset Griffon Vendeén - enjoying my life and sharing my experiences.
    My GBGV Life says:

    Wow, what a story. Living in another country sounds easy but it is not at all easy. That experience helped shape you into the person you are today. Mom also lived in another country for ten years but is glad she came back to the US, no baby, just some fur kids, though. Thank you for sharing.

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      It wasn’t easy. I enjoyed it though. Fur kids are good to have. You’re most welcome. 🙂

  3. Michelle – Hi, I am Michelle, I am married to a wonderful Christian man & my best friend ever, in the world. We live in the Peachy state of GA. I hope to inspire and encourage you through my blog posts.
    Michelle says:

    Thank you for sharing, Sandee! Have a blessed Thursday.🤗.💕

  4. Cathy Kennedy says:

    Sandee,

    What an amazing story! That had to be a difficult choice to end a relationship but then to learn you were having a baby? WOW, I can only image the rollercoaster of emotions you dealt with like doubting your alls decision to go your separate ways. I hope your ex wanted apart of your child’s life even though things didn’t work out for the two of you. This little snippet sounds like the making of a good story, if you ask me. Thanks for sharing and children are indeed reason to be thankful. 🙂

    Curious as a Cathy

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      I never saw or heard from him except for one letter. I was good with him not being part of my life. 🙂

  5. Eugi – Atlanta Ga – A Pushcart Prize nominee in 2025, my poetry appears in twelve anthologies, and my work is published across six platforms, inclusive of WordPress, PoetrySoup, Spillwords, BlueSky, Mastodon, and Tumblr. I am among those who received Socialite of the Year (Honorary Award) for the Year 2025 by Spillwords Press. I’m thrilled in be in the company of such a talented group of kindred souls. Now retired, I enjoyed a dedicated career in the insurance industry for over 40 years being rewarded professionally and personally.
    -Eugi ☕️ says:

    Wow! What a story! Thank you for sharing and it’s nice to know more about you. Happy Thursday!

  6. Sandra Hangey says:

    I am happy for both of you that you figured out it would not work before getting married . My son was 18 when his girlfriend got pregnant, they fought all the time, broke up and went back. i told him he did not have to get married, they had the big wedding with the maternity wedding dress and it was 2 years of hell and also caused 32 years of hell that still goes on. part of it being I have a grandaughter that is 32 and she has 3 kids i have never seen and never will….

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      Oh how sad, Sandra. It’s awful. Just because there is a baby there doesn’t have to be a marriage. The child is usually much happier. 🙂

  7. Brian's Home ~ Forever
    Brian says:

    That really is quite the story and the blessings of a child and the wisdom to follow your heart is a wonderful thing. Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      It was a blessing and I’m happy it turned out the way it did. Hubby took on all my family with open arms. I did the same with his family. 🙂

  8. Magical Mystical Mimi
    Magical Mystical Mimi says:

    Oh, Sandee, you know I immediately jumped into my fairytale rose colored glasses mode. (Big sigh…) You were so smart at 18 and so brave. This is a beautiful almost fairy tale. Like the ending of The Way We Were… They knew it just wasn’t to be. On the plus side, you were blessed with a child and a child was blessed to have you. <3 Sending you great big hugs! Love you, Sandee. <3

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      Yes I was blessed with a child. My mother so loved her first grand. Love you back, Karen. 🙂

  9. Cecilia Upchurch says:

    Sandee thank you for sharing Thankful about your one and only child who has given you your grands and g.grands to adore and love. We learn valuable lessons as we journey down life’s road. Happy yours lead you to Zane.
    You were a brave 18 year old.
    Hugs Cecilia

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      Yes we do and I’m glad all this lead me to Zane. I loved him for years before we ever went out on our first date. Some things are meant to be. Hugs, my friend. 🙂

  10. Kismet – New River, Arizona. – I'm a 16 year old Indian Ringneck parrot curmudgeon in New River, Arizona in the wild west country. If you're a sunflower seed, you're dinner.
    Kismet says:

    You traded Orangeburg for Mexico?

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      I was blessed indeed. Now I have a granddaughter and three great grands. I’m blessed. 🙂

  11. Dakota/Caren/Cody – Michigan – Freelance writer, pet blogging professional, product influencer, half of the writing team behind Dakota's Den and "Cat Chat With Cody & Caren" Most importantly, I am a "pet mom" to Dakota, (Shetland Sheepdog) and Cody (my silver gray tabby!)
    Caren says:

    oh my what a romantic and amazing story! It WAS meant to be for sure because you have your child! Plus you were awfully brave at such a young age!!!! That story should be made into a movie 🙂 Our almost 90 year old Aunt had a heart attack a week ago, I am beyond thankful that she came home from the hospital yesterday. I just adore her!

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      My parents weren’t thrilled when I told them I was pregnant, but they grew to love Richard. It turned out the way it was supposed to. I’m happy about your Aunt. Great news. 🙂

  12. Timmy Tomcat – Plymouth Meeting, PA – I am one Big Beeyootifur Bloo! Yessir!
    Timmy Tomcat says:

    Sandee that is some story and it is good you made the decision before getting wrapped up. You got a wonderful gift after all even thought we bet it was not easy. Happy Thankful

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      It was a shock, but I kept him and raised him. He’s never seen his father. 🙂

  13. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
    Tails Around the Ranch says:

    What an amazing story, Sandee! Sounds like you still ended up with the love of your life, your current husband as well as a child from your days in Mexico. <3

      • Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
        Tails Around the Ranch says:

        Better late than never I’d say. 🥰

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      It was an adventure and I’m glad I did it. I’m glad I came home. Happy Thursday. 🙂

  14. Bette A. Stevens – Central Maine, USA – "I'm a writer inspired by nature and human nature!" ~ Bette A. Stevens Bette A. Stevens is a retired teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of five. Stevens lives in Central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and childhood literacy and for monarch butterflies, an endangered species. Stevens’s children’s activity book, THE TANGRAM ZOO and WORD PUZZLES TOO! was first published in 1997 by Windswept House Publishing, Mt. Desert, ME; a second edition was self-published by the author in 2012. AMAZING MATILDA , Stevens's second children's book, self-published in 2012, won a 2013 Purple Dragonfly Book Award (Honorable Mention for Excellence in Children's Literature - Ages 6 and older category) and placed #9 on The 2013 Gittle List TOP 10for Self-published Children’s Picture Books. Stevens has written articles for ECHOES, The Northern Maine Journal of Rural Culture based in Caribou, Maine. In 2013, the author published her first book for the YA/Adult audience: PURE TRASH, a short story of a boy growing up in rural New England in a family whose poverty and alcoholism mark him as a target for bullying by young and old alike. This short story is a prequel to Stevens's debut novel, DOG BONE SOUP, A Boomer’s Journey released in January of 2015.
    Bette A. Stevens says:

    Thankful for hubby, two daughters, grandchildrena and great-grand! 💞

  15. Memories of Eric and Flynn – I started this blog to show my holiday photos but haven't added to it for so long, but you can see my other holiday photos at https://allatseawithme.blogspot.com My main blog is my cat blog at https://twodevoncats.blogspot.com
    Memories of Eric and Flynn says:

    What a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it.

  16. The OP Pack says:

    Mom always says that God works in mysterious ways and has a plan for all of us. That is a wonderful story.

    We are glad you didn’t stay in Mexico – we might never have met you here if you did:)

    Woos – Lightning, Misty, and Timber

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      He does indeed. It would have only been that year if I had stayed with him. I’m glad I didn’t. It wasn’t meant to be. 🙂

  17. messymimi's meanderings – In south Louisiana\'s beautiful swamps.
    messymimi's meanderings says:

    Wow! The fact that he never cared to come back and see his son tells that you made the right decision, he was not husband/father material, at least at that time. Maybe he grew up later, we can only hope.

    You are one amazing lady, hugs!

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      That is correct. I’m sure he didn’t want the expense and I took care of him financially. It was just fine. 🙂

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      It was a fun time, but I was to young to get married. It worked out. Happy day and weekend. Love and hugs to you both. 🙂

  18. pjack214 – Mom, Nana, part time photographer, artist in oils and crafts.
    Pamela Jackson says:

    Beautiful and so well told. Hugs….I heard a commerical about a movie coming on where a woman went to bed normal and woke up at the age she was 15 yrs earlier. It said in the commerical that it was a do over….what would I do over? I thought have my daughter Amber and never marry her dad, but then I told myself, no cause I would never have had Cory that way. I am really not sure I would change anything big or major in my life cause that life is what made me who I am today.

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      I agree with you. All our life experiences make us what we are today. I wouldn’t change a thing. 🙂

  19. Anne M Robinson says:

    I am so happy you told youe story. What a joy your child was for you and look at the beautiful grands and great grands as a result. I am so happy I know you. I think sometime we have similar stories of our youth . I was a young mom too. Thankful for my sweetheart Avery, as he is the real love of my life and keeps me on my toes with his silly stories, his faith and his love for me and the kids. You were such an adeventurer. I love your story. LOVE YA my friend.

  20. Anne M Robinson says:

    You have the best Thankful stories to share. I love youer story and glad I Know you here. Life has been crazy. The weather changes make me goofy for a few days. I am not sure I could live all year round where it rains a lot. Have a blessed weekend. HUGS and LOVR

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      I was raised in Tillamook Oregon and it rained there a lot. l I didn’t miss it when I left. Gloomy weather. Hugs and love. 🙂

  21. Crystal – Pennsylvania – I love cats and I am a animal lover. I like most sports. For example: Nascar, Golf and etc.... I like meeting new people and making new friends. I am on Bloglovin', Katzenworld Forum and I am on Linked In. I live in a small town in Pennsylvania. I also like taking pictures and writing poetry. I've met Maya Angelou and that was a WOW experience. I love hot wings. I love cats, dogs and most other animals.
    Crystal says:

    We are very thankful everyone here is doing so much better and Dad is doing so much better.

  22. Debbie D. – Suburban Toronto, Canada – Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper, known as "The Doglady". Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal "hippie rockchick". History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
    Debbie D. says:

    Sandee, you were wise and brave beyond your years! Raising a child on your own must have been challenging, but it sounds like everything worked out for the best, in the end. Thanks for sharing this personal glimpse of your life!

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      It was an adventure. My parents weren’t all that thrilled, but it was exciting. 🙂

  23. mjgolch – Cleveland Ohio – I'm a retired Corrections Officer. I served in the USAF from July 1971 until July 1974. I quit smoking in 1994. I have been sober since 02/02/2022 prior sober date 12/12/1990. I've been married to my Celestine since March 1,1980 and lost her to kidney failure October 2020
    mjgolch says:

    Sandee,I am Thankful for waking up,everyday is a blessing and I thank God for that Blessing.I do not know what the day holds for me will I be mr.Nice Guy or mr Crabass only the day know for sure. I do Know there are 3 day of the week I cioncern myself with, Yesterday and That one is over with Tomarrow that’s not here and ias not a concern,so The Most Important day is Today. have a blessed one my friend

    • Sandee – California – Home of Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday.
      Sandee says:

      Amen to that and live in the moment is a good thing. Happy day, Mike. 🙂

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