If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough.– Meister Eckhart

Those who know me, would know that there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank the Lord enough for blessing me. If you were to ask me this a few years back, I barely did though. My prayers consists of always asking the questions “Why?, Why me?”. Not only was I going through learning about my future with vision loss and processing the many possibilities of what else could happen along the way and of course, preparing myself to being completely blind and completely deaf was just another. But the little things as well in my life. Such as family stuff. But that is always another story to tell. But the more I kept asking the “Why? Why me?” the more I realized all the bullshit in my life and the mindset kept drowning me more and more into depression and nothing was changing in my life. Well we all know that, negative thinking will always just lead to negative things. And that’s when I knew I needed to change.

With that said, lets fast forward.

I always say, I really don’t have a lot. Because I don’t.

But I am so rich though from all the love.

I’m rich because of my husband, my family and my friends and the little vision and hearing I have left. What else do I really need? A lot of people can look at me and just feel sorry for me. But don’t. I am honestly fine. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. And most importantly, I wouldn’t trade my life with anyone else. I appreciate everything that I am going through and my life more now. I look at things differently. I value more of my time with my loved ones and always so excited to be with them and see them. I take my travels seriously and literally always in tears whenever I see all the wonderful things and just everything I do in my life, I cherish it all.

I’m currently away with my husband.

He is still sleeping, it’s 7:09am here in Portugal. And all I can think about is how much I am so thankful and grateful for everything. For this life. Not only for my riches; my husband, family and friends. And not only to be able to travel and see the wonderful places this world has to offer, but it is the wonderful people I get to meet along the way. Such as the people here in Lisbon! They are so wonderful and caring. I normally don’t use my white cane when I travel to Europe. The roads are not as friendly and smooth as it is back home. But O-M-G! The people here are wonderful. When they see me alone, (meanwhile, I’m just posing so Bas can take photos of me) they would come up to me and ask if I need any help. I’m still here in Portugal, still exploring. Just want to share a few pictures with you and wishing you all can be with us.

And I really just wanted to say how thankful I am of you.

For all the wonderful people in my life and the people I get to meet along the way. To those I have connected with, thank you. Everyday for me is thanking the Lord of how amazing he is, for the little vision and hearing he is still giving me and reminding me that life is still so wonderful despite all the battles he has us facing. There is always a reason behind it, and for that, thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my wonderful Canadian people!

Stay Blessed,

Ate Mara