Overwhelmed by blessings

Almost half way through two thousand twelve and I could not have predicted our year would have taken so many turns.
Personal growth, reflection, desire for changes.
Friends lost, friends gained.
Plans in the making that have me giddy with excitement. (will have to wait a while before sharing)
But the most incredible thing has to be how overwhelmed with blessings I have felt all year.
In the midst of tears from painful personal growth, I've tried to stay true to my beliefs that having a grateful heart matters all the more when walking through something difficult. Not letting that despair pull you under, but rising above it because in the end the growth from it all is more valuable than if you had stayed the same. This doesn't make any of it easier but knowing that my heart is where it's supposed to be helps.
I say all of this to get to my point that I feel that being grateful for what you have can seriously pay sometimes.
I also need to say that my husband is truly the most sincere husband ever. His friends tell me every time I meet them that he never has anything but good things to say about me.
Me, his wife.
I know he loves me and he's told me before how much he talks about me but to hear it from his friends feels like one of the most chivalrous everyday things a husband can do for his wife. Seriously, husbands who read this post (if any), try it, you won't likely regret it.

So, back to the blessings part. A friend of my husband's from work is into photography and David has mentioned in the past how I am as well. Yesterday, they met up for lunch on their work break and his friend gave him an older camera to give to me. He didn't want anything for it, he had just purchased an upgrade and wanted to give his old one to me.
I've never even met this person. That say alot about my husband and how he's praised my name.
When David brought it home after work and told me the story about it, I was blown away by how incredible things happen when you least expect them.

I own a Canon power shot SX20 IS. It's an incredible camera and I love it but it's not a DSLR.
But I've been trying to be patient and content, knowing that I'm blessed to have a great camera and I'll upgrade later. So, being given something like this feels like an overwhelming blessing.
I truly believe that having a grateful heart pays in more ways than one and having a husband who praises your name gratifies the soul.

My heart is full of happy!

sin·cere/sinˈsi(ə)r/

Adjective:

Free from pretense or deceit; proceeding from genuine feelings. (of a person) Saying what they genuinely feel or believe; not dishonest or hypocritical.